Expression Cards: idiom
242 cards available.
idiom
play a cameo
faire une brève apparition dans un film
Meaning
to make a brief appearance in a film
Example
The director himself **played a cameo** in the movie.
idiom
play a part
avoir un rôle ou une influence dans quelque chose
Meaning
to have a role or influence in something
Example
She **played a part** in making the project successful.
idiom
play a pivotal role
jouer un rôle important dans quelque chose
Meaning
to play an important part in something
Example
She played a **pivotal role** in the success of the team.
idiom
play a role
jouer un rôle dans quelque chose
Meaning
to have a part in something
Example
Everyone **played a role** in making the show successful.
idiom
play both sides
soutenir des parties opposées pour obtenir un avantage
Meaning
to support opposing parties to gain advantage
Example
Some lobbyists are known to **play both sides** of the issue.
idiom
play by ear
improviser ou décider au fur et à mesure plutôt que de suivre un plan fixe
Meaning
to improvise or decide as you go rather than following a fixed plan
Example
We don't have a fixed schedule, so let's just **play it by ear**.
idiom
play devil's advocate
argumenter contre une idée pour tester sa solidité
Meaning
to argue against an idea to test how strong it is
Example
I don't necessarily disagree, but let me **play devil's advocate** for a moment.
idiom
play dirty
utiliser des méthodes malhonnêtes ou injustes pour gagner
Meaning
to use unfair or dishonest methods to win
Example
Politicians often **play dirty** during elections.
idiom
play fair
agir honnêtement et traiter les autres de manière égale
Meaning
to act honestly and treat others equally
Example
We expect everyone to **play fair** during the competition.
idiom
play God
prendre des décisions qui exercent un contrôle extrême sur la vie ou la moralité
Meaning
to make decisions that have extreme control over life or morality
Example
Some people fear AI researchers are trying to **play God**.
idiom
play hardball
être ferme et dur dans les négociations
Meaning
to be firm and tough in negotiation
Example
He decided to **play hardball** during the contract talks.
idiom
play it by ear
décider ou agir au fur et à mesure que la situation évolue
Meaning
to decide or act as the situation develops
Example
We’ll **play it by ear** and see what happens.
idiom
Play it safe
éviter de prendre des risques
Meaning
to avoid taking risks
Example
He always **plays it safe** and never tries new things.
idiom
play it straight
être honnête et direct
Meaning
to be honest and direct
Example
Just **play it straight** and tell them what happened.
idiom
play on someone's emotions
influencer quelqu'un en faisant appel à ses sentiments
Meaning
to influence someone by appealing to their feelings
Example
The ad tries to **play on people's emotions** to sell products.
idiom
play one's cards close to one's chest
garder ses projets ou idées secrets
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
prendre les bonnes décisions pour obtenir un bon résultat
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.
idiom
play politics
agir de manière manipulatrice ou stratégique pour obtenir un avantage
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
jouer un rôle subordonné à quelqu'un d'autre
Meaning
to take a subordinate role to someone else
Example
He was tired of **playing second fiddle** to his colleague.
idiom
play the field
sortir avec ou avoir des relations romantiques avec plusieurs personnes sans engagement
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
utiliser une question politique à son avantage
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
continuer à travailler ou performer malgré la douleur ou les difficultés
Meaning
to keep working or performing despite pain or hardship
Example
Athletes often **play through the pain** to win.
idiom
play to the gallery
tenter de gagner l'approbation du public en général plutôt que celle des experts
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.
idiom
Play with fire
Faire quelque chose de dangereux ou risqué.
Meaning
To do something dangerous or risky.
Example
You’re **playing with fire** if you invest without research.