pleɪ daʊn
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- play
- Particle:
- down
- Separable:
- Yes
What does "play down" mean?
To make something seem less important or serious than it really is
Examples
- The politician tried to play down the scandal.
- She played down her achievements during the interview.
- Do not play down the risks involved.
- The company played down the impact of the data breach.
How to use it
Frequently used in news and politics.
Word order
Can be separated: 'play the issue down' or 'play down the issue'.
Similar expressions
downplay
minimize
understate
Opposites
play up
exaggerate
emphasize
Related phrasal verbs
- turn down
To reduce the volume, heat, or intensity of something
- bring down
To cause something to fall or collapse
- go down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- come down
To decrease in price, level, or amount
- break down
To stop working or functioning (machines, vehicles)
- put down
To place something on a surface
Use it in a practice answer
Try "play down" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.