Expression Cards
493 cards available.
idiom
play one's cards close to one's chest
seine Pläne oder Ideen geheim halten
Meaning
to keep one's plans or ideas secret
Example
He always **plays his cards close to his chest** in business.
idiom
play one's cards right
die richtigen Entscheidungen treffen, um ein gutes Ergebnis zu erzielen
Meaning
to make the right decisions in order to achieve a good result
Example
If you **play your cards right**, you could get the promotion you want.
phrasal-verb
play out
geschehen oder sich auf eine bestimmte Weise entwickeln
Meaning
to happen or develop in a particular way
Example
We watched how the story **played out** until the final twist.
idiom
play politics
auf manipulative oder strategische Weise handeln, um einen Vorteil zu erlangen
Meaning
to act in a manipulative or strategic way to gain advantage
Example
He was accused of trying to **play politics** instead of focusing on the nation’s welfare.
idiom
play second fiddle
eine untergeordnete Rolle gegenüber jemandem einnehmen
Meaning
to take a subordinate role to someone else
Example
He was tired of **playing second fiddle** to his colleague.
idiom
play the field
mit vielen Menschen ohne Verpflichtung romantische Beziehungen haben oder Daten
Meaning
to date or have romantic relationships with many people without commitment
Example
He’s still **playing the field** and not looking for a serious relationship.
idiom
play the political card
eine politische Frage zu seinem Vorteil nutzen
Meaning
to use a political issue to one’s advantage
Example
The minister tried to **play the political card** to gain public sympathy.
idiom
play through the pain
weiterarbeiten oder auftreten trotz Schmerz oder Schwierigkeiten
Meaning
to keep working or performing despite pain or hardship
Example
Athletes often **play through the pain** to win.
idiom
play to the gallery
versuchen, die Zustimmung der Allgemeinheit zu gewinnen, anstatt der Experten
Meaning
to try to gain approval from the general public rather than experts
Example
The politician was clearly **playing to the gallery** with his speech.
phrasal-verb
play up
etwas übertreiben oder betonen
Meaning
to exaggerate or emphasize something
Example
Some news outlets **played up** the drama to attract viewers.
phrasal-verb
play with
Zeit mit jemandem verbringen, um ein Spiel oder Spielzeug zu genießen
Meaning
to spend time enjoying a game or toy with someone
Example
We used to **play with** marbles and paper boats in the rain.
idiom
Play with fire
Etwas Gefährliches oder Risikoreiches tun.
Meaning
To do something dangerous or risky.
Example
You’re **playing with fire** if you invest without research.
idiom
Play your cards right
Die richtigen Schritte unternehmen, um Erfolg zu haben.
Meaning
To make the right moves to achieve success.
Example
If you **play your cards right**, you might get the promotion.
idiom
play your part
seinen Teil der Arbeit oder Verantwortung leisten
Meaning
to do your share of the work or responsibility
Example
Everyone needs to **play their part** to make the event successful.
idiom
Playing both sides
Beide Seiten eines Konflikts heimlich unterstützen oder manipulieren, um persönlichen Gewinn zu erzielen.
Meaning
To secretly support or manipulate both sides of a conflict for personal gain.
Example
The ambassador was accused of **playing both sides** in the negotiations.
idiom
playing the field
mit vielen anderen Unternehmen oder Einzelpersonen im selben Markt konkurrieren
Meaning
competing with many other companies or individuals in the same market
Example
The company is **playing the field** by expanding into new markets worldwide.
idiom
playing the long game
Entscheidungen treffen oder Maßnahmen ergreifen mit langfristigen Zielen im Kopf
Meaning
making decisions or taking actions with long-term objectives in mind
Example
The president is **playing the long game** by focusing on long-term foreign policy.
idiom
Playing with house money
Risiken eingehen mit Geld, das leicht oder unerwartet gewonnen wurde.
Meaning
Taking risks with money that was gained easily or unexpectedly.
Example
After their early profits, the traders were **playing with house money**.
idiom
Plead the fifth
Sich weigern, eine Frage zu beantworten, oft in rechtlichen Kontexten, um Selbstbelastung zu vermeiden.
Meaning
To refuse to answer a question, often in legal contexts, to avoid self-incrimination.
Example
When asked about the financial discrepancies, he chose to **plead the fifth**.
idiom
pledge one's word
ein ernsthaftes oder formelles Versprechen abgeben
Meaning
to make a serious or formal promise
Example
He **pledged his word** to support the cause.
phrasal-verb
plough back
Gewinne in dasselbe Unternehmen reinvestieren
Meaning
to reinvest profits into the same business
Example
The firm **ploughed back** its profits into expanding operations.
idiom
plow ahead
etwas trotz Schwierigkeiten weiter tun
Meaning
to continue doing something despite difficulties
Example
Even with setbacks, they decided to **plow ahead** with the project.
idiom
Plow the field
Sich auf zukünftige Arbeit oder Erfolg vorbereiten.
Meaning
To prepare for future work or success.
Example
Before launching the product, we need to **plow the field** with proper research.
idiom
pluck up the courage
sich genug Mut machen, um etwas zu tun
Meaning
to make yourself feel brave enough to do something
Example
He finally **plucked up the courage** to speak in public.