Phrasal verb: play up

1. If someone, especially a child, plays up they behave badly or mischievously.

Examples of use:

♦ The children have been playing up all day.

♦ The children always play up when we visit their grandparents

2. If a machine, or part of a machine, plays up it does not work as it should.

Examples of use:

♦ My television is playing up. The picture is all fuzzy.

♦ I need a new washing machine. This one is playing up.

3. To play up something or someone (or play something or someone up) is to emphasize or exaggerate their importance.

Example of use:

♦ The newspaper article played up the importance of George Bush's influence on world affairs.

4. To play up to someone is to flatter them.

Example of use:

♦ She's desperate for promotion and she's always playing up to our boss.