Словарь американских идиом: 8000 единиц

[play one’s cards right] or [play one’s cards well]{v. phr.}, {informal} To use abilities and opportunities so as to be successful; act cleverly; make the best use of your place or skills. •/That millionaire started with very little but showed a skill in playing his cards right./ •/People liked Harold, and he played his cards well — and soon he began to get ahead rapidly./

[play ostrich]{v. phr.} To refuse to face painful facts or unpleasant truths. •/She plays ostrich when it comes to her husband’s drinking problem./

[play politics]{v. phr.} To make secret agreements for your own gain; handle different groups for your own advantage. •/In order to get elected, he had to play politics with both the unions and the bosses./ •/Mary always gets what she wants by playing office politics./

[play possum]{v. phr.}, {informal} 1. To pretend to be asleep. •/Johnny seemed to be fully asleep, but his mother knew that he was playing possum./ 2. To stay quiet for self-protection; try to escape attention by inactivity. •/The rabbit played possum under the bushes, hoping the hunter would not see him./ •/Bob played possum when the teacher looked around./

[play safe] or [play it safe]{v. phr.}, {informal} To be very careful; accept small gains or none to avoid loss; avoid danger for the sake of safety. •/He got tired as the game went on, and began to play safe./ •/Tom didn’t know what the other driver would do, so he played it safe and stopped his own car./

[play second fiddle]{v. phr.}, {informal} To act a smaller part; follow another’s lead; be less noticed. •/His wife had the stronger mind and he played second fiddle to her./ •/During the tournament, lessons played second fiddle to basketball./

[play the devil with] or [play hob with]{v. phr.}, {informal} To cause confusion in; upset. •/Uncle Bob’s unexpected visit played the devil with our own plans to travel./ •/Mother’s illness played hob with our party./

[play the field]{v. phr.}, {informal} To date many different people; not always have dates with the same person. •/Al had a steady girlfriend, but John was playing the field./ •/Jim was crazy about Mary, but she was still playing the field./ Contrast: GO STEADY.

[play the game]{v. phr.}, {informal} To obey the rules; do right; act fairly. •/"That’s not playing the game," we told him when he wanted to desert his wife./ •/"Oh, let’s play the game," he said, when his partner suggested a way to keep from paying some of their debts./ •/Your parents want you to play the game in life./

[play the market]{v. phr.} To try to make money on the stock market by buying and selling stocks, •/John lost all his savings playing the market./ •/Sometimes Mr. Smith makes a lot of money when he plays the market, and sometimes he loses./