- no obj. engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose玩, 玩耍：
the children were playing by a pool
孩子们在池塘边玩耍
her friends were playing with their dolls.
她的朋友们在玩布娃娃。
- with obj. engage in (a game or activity) for enjoyment玩（游戏）; 搞（活动）：
I want to play Snakes and Ladders.
我想玩蛇梯棋。
- amuse oneself by engaging in imaginative pretence假扮…玩：
the boys were playing at soldiers.
这些男孩在玩扮演士兵。
play at
engage in without proper seriousness or understanding儿戏似的做, 不认真地干：it would be wrong to assume that he is simply playing at right-wing politics.
说他只是把右翼政治当作儿戏玩玩而已那就错了。
play with
treat inconsiderately for one's own amusement玩弄：she likes to play with people's emotions.
她喜欢玩弄人的情感。
play with
fiddle or tamper with摆弄, 玩弄：has somebody been playing with these taps?
有人一直在摆弄这些水龙头吗?
- with negative or in questions
be playing at
used to convey one's irritation at someone's actions or one's failure to understand their motives［用以表示对某人行为的恼怒或表示未能理解其动机］干, 闹： what on earth do you think you're playing at?
想想看, 你到底是在干吗?
- with obj. take part in (a sport) on a regular basis（定期）参加（体育活动）：
I play squash and badminton.
我打壁球和羽毛球。
- participate in (a sporting match or contest)参加（体育比赛或竞赛）。
- compete against (another player or team) in a sporting match（在体育比赛中）同…比赛：
the team will play France on Wednesday.
星期三这支球队将与法国队比赛。
- no obj. be part of a team, especially in a specified position, in a sporting contest（尤指在体育竞赛中某个具体位置上）司职：
he played in goal.
他担任守门员。
- strike (a ball) or execute (a stroke) in a game（在游戏中）击（球）; 击打。
- no obj., with adverbial(of a cricket ground) be in such condition as to have a specified effect on play（板球场状况对比赛）产生影响。
- assign to take part in a match, especially in a specified position（尤指比赛中在特定位置上）安排, 任用, 确定（运动员）：
the manager played his strongest side of the season.
领队确定了本赛季最强大的阵容。
- move (a piece) or display (a playing card) in one's turn in a game打, 出（牌）; 走（棋子）：
he played his queen.
他出了一张王后牌。
- bet or gamble at or on打赌, 赌博：
he didn't gamble or play the ponies.
他没有赌博也没有赌马。
- no obj. [usu. with negative] be cooperative〈喻〉合作, 买某人的账：
he needs financial backing, but the building societies won't play.
他需要经济支持, 但建筑协会并不买他的账。
- with obj. represent (a character) in a theatrical performance or a film（在戏剧或电影中）扮演（角色）：
early in her career she played Ophelia.
早期她曾扮演过奥菲莉娅。
- no obj. perform in a film or theatrical production（在电影或戏剧中）表演：
he was proud to be playing opposite a famous actor.
他引以为豪的是正跟一位著名演员演对手戏。
- put on or take part in (a theatrical performance, film, or concert)演出; 参加（戏剧, 电影, 音乐会）：
the show was one of the best we ever played.
这次演出是我们所演出的最好的场次之一。
- give a dramatic performance at (a particular theatre or place)（在特定戏院或地点）演戏。
- behave as though one were (a specified type of person)假扮：
the skipper played the innocent, but smuggled goods were found on his vessel.
那位船长假扮清白, 但从他的船上却发现了走私物品。
play someone for
treat someone as being of (a specified type)将某人看作（某种类型的人）：don't imagine you can play me for a fool.
别以为你能把我当傻瓜。
- with obj. perform on (a musical instrument)演奏（乐器）。
- possess the skill of performing upon (a musical instrument)具有演奏（乐器）的技能：
he taught himself to play the violin.
他自学了拉小提琴。
- produce (notes) from a musical instrument; perform (a piece of music)拉（或弹、吹）出（音符）; 演奏（音乐）：
they played a violin sonata.
他们演奏了一支小提琴奏鸣曲。
- make (a record, record player, radio, etc.) produce sounds播放（唱片）, 开（录音机、收音机等）。
- no obj.(of a musical instrument, record, record player, etc.) produce sounds（乐器、唱片、录音机等）发出声音：
somewhere within, a harp was playing.
里面某个地方有竖琴的声音。
- with obj. and adverbial of direction accompany (someone) with music as they are moving in a specified direction（在某人朝特定方向移动时, 用音乐）伴随, 陪伴：
the bagpipes played them out of the dining room.
他们在风笛乐声中走出了餐厅。
- no obj. move lightly and quickly, so as to appear and disappear; flicker（轻快地）移动; 显现; 消逝; 晃动, 摇曳, 变幻：
a smile played about her lips.
她的嘴角露出一丝微笑。
- (of a fountain or similar source of water) emit a stream of gently moving water（喷泉或类似水源）涌出, 溢出（轻柔流淌的水）。
- with obj. allow (a fish) to exhaust itself pulling against a line before reeling it in让（上钩的鱼）挣扎得筋疲力尽。
- activity engaged in for enjoyment and recreation, especially by children玩, 玩耍, 玩乐：
a child at play may use a stick as an aeroplane.
玩耍时的孩子会用棍子当飞机。
- behaviour or speech that is not intended seriously玩笑：
I flinched, but only in play.
我退缩了, 但只是开开玩笑而已。
- as modifier designed to be used in games of pretence; not real游戏的; 假装的; 假的：
play families are arranged in play houses.
游戏家庭被安排在了游戏屋里。
- the conducting of a sporting match比赛：
rain wrecked the second day's play.
雨破坏了第二天的比赛。
- the action or manner of engaging in a sport or game（运动, 游戏）动作; 方式：
he maintained the same rhythm of play throughout the game.
他在整场比赛中保持了同样的动作节奏。
- the status of the ball in a game as being available to be played according to the rules球处于可按规则进行比赛的状态：
the ball was put in play.
球被投入到比赛之中。
- the state of being active, operative, or effective〈喻〉起作用状态, 实施状态, 有效状态。
- count noun a move or manoeuvre in a sport or game（运动或游戏中的）（一）步; 打法, 走法, 做法：
the best play is to lead the 3 of Clubs.
最好的打法就是先出梅花3。
- archaic gambling〈古〉赌博。
- count noun a dramatic work for the stage or to be broadcast剧本, 戏剧：
the actors put on a new play.
演员们上演了一出新戏。
- the space in or through which a mechanism can or does move活动空间, 间隙：
the steering rack was loose, and there was a little play.
操向齿条松了, 有点活动。
- figurative scope or freedom to act or operate〈喻〉自由度; 运作范围; 回旋余地：
our policy allows the market to have freer play.
我们的政策允许市场更自由运作。
- light and constantly changing movement轻快的活动, 摇曳, 变幻：
the artist exploits the play of light across the surface.
这位艺术家运用了掠过表面的光的变幻。
bring （或call） into play
- cause something to start working so that one can make use of it使运转, 启用, 使用：
he cannot afford to bring into play the kind of leadership veto that operated all those years ago.
他现在不好再行使那么多年以前起作用的那种领导否决权了。
come into play
- the state of being active, operative, or effective开始活动, 开始运转, 开始起作用：
luck comes into play.
运气起作用了。
make a play for
- informal attempt to attract or attain〈非正式〉力图吸引, 勾引; 力图达到, 得到。
make (great) play of （或with）
- draw attention to in an ostentatious manner, typically to gain prestige or advantage（尤指为取得声望或优势）故意卖弄, 大肆炒作：
the company made great play of their recent growth in profits.
该公司大肆炒作其最近的利润增长。
make play with
- treat frivolously轻浮对待, 戏弄。
not playing with a full deck
- 见DECK.
play ball
- 见BALL1.
play both ends against the middle
- keep one's options open by supporting or favouring opposing sides为获利而脚踏两只船, 使鹬蚌相争而渔翁得利。
play something by ear
- perform music without having to read from a score不看乐谱弹奏。
play it by ear
- informal proceed instinctively according to results and circumstances rather than according to rules or a plan〈非正式〉见机行事, 走一步看一步。
play by the rules
- follow what is generally held to be the correct line of behaviour按部就班, 按规矩办事。
play one's cards close to one's chest
- 见CHEST.
play one's cards right（或well）
- 见CARD1.
play ducks and drakes with
play fair
- observe principles of justice; avoid cheating正大光明; 不徇私舞弊。
play someone false
- prove treacherous or deceitful towards someone背叛; 欺骗, 蒙骗。
play fast and loose
- behave irresponsibly or immorally处事轻率; 不道德地行事。
play favourites
- chiefly N. Amer. show favouritism towards someone or something〈主北美〉偏袒, 偏爱。
play the field
- 见FIELD.
play for time
- use specious excuses or unnecessary manoeuvres to gain time（以似是而非的理由或不必要的手法）争取时间。
play the game
- 见GAME1.
play God
- 见GOD.
play havoc with
- 见HAVOC.
play hell
- 见HELL.
play hookey
- 见HOOKEY.
play a （或one's） hunch
- make an instinctive choice凭直觉办事。
play oneself in
- Brit. become accustomed to the circumstances and conditions of a game or activity〈英〉适应比赛（或活动）环境。
play into someone's hands
- act in such a way as unintentionally to give someone an advantage（在行事时无意中）让别人占了便宜。
play it cool
- informal make an effort to be or appear to be calm and unemotional〈非正式〉努力显得冷静; 不露声色。
play the market
- speculate in stocks股票投机。
a play on words
- a pun双关语。play a part make a contribution to a situation 起作用, 有影响：
social and economic factors may have also played a part
社会和经济因素或许也起了作用
he personally wanted to thank those nurses and staff who had played a part in his recovery.
他本人想当面感谢那些为他康复作了工作的护士和员工。
play （或play it） safe （或for safety）
- take precautions; avoid risks谨慎行事; 不冒险。
play to the gallery
- 见GALLERY.
play a trick （或joke） on
- behave in a deceptive or teasing way towards欺骗; 逗弄。
play truant
- 见TRUANT.
play with oneself
- informal masturbate〈非正式〉手淫。
play with fire
- take foolish risks玩火, 愚蠢冒险。
played out informal
- used or seen too many times before so no longer interesting〈非正式〉过时的; 陈腐的：
the melodrama is a little played out to be entirely satisfying.
这个情节剧多少有点老套而难以完全令人满意。
playability
nounplayable
adjectiveplay about（或around）
- behave in a casual, foolish, or irresponsible way玩弄, 闹着玩, 胡闹：
you shouldn't play around with a child's future.
你不应该拿孩子的前途闹着玩。
- informal (of a married person) have a love affair〈非正式〉（已婚者）拈花惹草。
play along
- perform a piece of music at the same time as it is playing on a tape or record合着磁带或唱片演奏。
- pretend to cooperate假装合作：
she had to play along and be polite.
她只得假装合作, 显得彬彬有礼。
play someone along
- informal deceive or mislead someone over a period of time〈非正式〉（长期）蒙骗某人, 误导某人。
play away
- Brit. play a sports fixture on an opponent's ground〈英〉打客场, 客场比赛。
- informal (of a married person) have a love affair〈非正式〉（已婚者）拈花惹草。
play something back
- play sounds that one has recently recorded, especially to monitor recording quality（尤指为了监控录音质量）重放, 播放。
play something down
- represent something as being less important than it in fact is淡化, 降低（重要性）：
he tried to play down the seriousness of his illness.
他试图淡化他病情的严重性。
play someone off
- bring people into conflict or competition for one's own advantage使竞争, 使相斗（以获利）：
top footballers were able to play clubs off against each other to gain higher pay.
顶级足球运动员能使俱乐部相互竞争以获取更高报酬。
play off
- (of two teams or competitors) play an extra match to decide a draw or tie（两支运动队或两个竞赛者打成平局后）打加时赛（或附加赛）。
play on
- exploit (a weak or vulnerable point in someone)利用（某人的弱点）：
he played on his opponent's nerves.
他利用了对手的紧张心理。
play out
- develop in a particular way以特定方式发展：
the position of the sub-tropical jet stream across North America will determine how winter plays out.
这股横穿北美的亚热带急流的位置将决定冬天的态势。
- happen; take place发生; 出现：
this scenario plays out all across the country.
这种场景在全国各地都可见到。
play someone out
- drain someone of strength or life使筋疲力尽, 耗尽。
play something out
- act the whole of a drama; enact a scene or role演完（一出戏）; 演出（一场戏或角色）。
play up
- informal (of a child) misbehave〈非正式〉（小孩）捣蛋, 制造麻烦：
I hadn't had much sleep - the kids had been playing up.
我没有睡多少觉, 小孩子们一直在捣乱。
- fail to function properly〈英, 非正式〉出故障：
his phone line was constantly playing up.
他的电话线老出故障。
- put all one's energy into a game〈英〉拼命投入（比赛）。
play someone up
- (of a part of the body or an illness) cause pain or discomfort to someone（身体器官, 疾病）给某人造成痛苦（或不适）。
play something up
- emphasize the extent or importance of something强调; 炒作：
the mystery surrounding his death was played up by the media.
他的死亡之谜被媒体大肆炒作。
play up to
- exploit, trade on, or make the most of充分利用, 最大限度地利用。