Expression Cards
493 cards available.
idiom
play one's cards close to one's chest
mantener los planes o ideas en secreto
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
tomar las decisiones correctas para lograr un buen resultado
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
suceder o desarrollarse de una manera particular
Meaning
to happen or develop in a particular way
Example
We watched how the story **played out** until the final twist.
idiom
play politics
actuar de manera manipulativa o estratégica para ganar ventaja
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
tomar un papel subordinado frente a otra persona
Meaning
to take a subordinate role to someone else
Example
He was tired of **playing second fiddle** to his colleague.
idiom
play the field
salir con varias personas o tener relaciones románticas sin compromiso
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
utilizar un tema político para beneficio propio
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
seguir trabajando o actuando a pesar del dolor o la dificultad
Meaning
to keep working or performing despite pain or hardship
Example
Athletes often **play through the pain** to win.
idiom
play to the gallery
tratar de ganar aprobación del público en general en lugar de los expertos
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
exagerar o enfatizar algo
Meaning
to exaggerate or emphasize something
Example
Some news outlets **played up** the drama to attract viewers.
phrasal-verb
play with
pasar tiempo disfrutando de un juego o juguete con alguien
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
Hacer algo peligroso o arriesgado.
Meaning
To do something dangerous or risky.
Example
You’re **playing with fire** if you invest without research.
idiom
Play your cards right
Hacer los movimientos correctos para lograr el éxito.
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
cumplir con tu parte del trabajo o responsabilidad
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
Apoyar o manipular en secreto a ambas partes de un conflicto para obtener ganancias personales.
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
competir con muchas otras empresas o individuos en el mismo mercado
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
tomando decisiones o acciones con objetivos a largo plazo en mente
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
Tomar riesgos con dinero que se ganó fácilmente o inesperadamente.
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
Negarse a responder una pregunta, a menudo en contextos legales, para evitar la autoincriminación.
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
hacer una promesa seria o formal
Meaning
to make a serious or formal promise
Example
He **pledged his word** to support the cause.
phrasal-verb
plough back
reinvertir las ganancias en el mismo negocio
Meaning
to reinvest profits into the same business
Example
The firm **ploughed back** its profits into expanding operations.
idiom
plow ahead
continuar haciendo algo a pesar de las dificultades
Meaning
to continue doing something despite difficulties
Example
Even with setbacks, they decided to **plow ahead** with the project.
idiom
Plow the field
Prepararse para el trabajo o el éxito futuros.
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
hacerse lo suficientemente valiente como para hacer algo
Meaning
to make yourself feel brave enough to do something
Example
He finally **plucked up the courage** to speak in public.