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Play Down

What Does "Play Down" Mean?

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"Play down" is an English idiom. It means "to minimize or downplay the significance or importance of something; to make something seem less significant or serious than it is."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "play down" used in a sentence:
  • She tried to play down her achievements, even though she had accomplished a lot in her career.
  • The company's spokesperson attempted to play down the negative impact of the product recall.
  • Parents should not play down the importance of education; it's crucial for their children's future.
meaning for play down

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Play Down" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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