PhrasesHub

play on

    Definitions

      • use
        To use or manipulate something for one's own advantage or amusement

      • continue
        To continue or extend a particular situation or activity

    Examples of play on

    • The pianist played on despite the fact that the concert hall was half-empty.

      In this example, "play on" is used as a phrasal verb, meaning the pianist continued to play even when the audience was sparse. This idiom is also sometimes expressed as "play through" or "play through it".

    • The comedian tried to play on some unintentional errors, turning them into jokes.

      Here, "play on" is used as a phrasal verb to mean the comedian attempted to find humor in mistakes that weren't meant to be humorous, making light of them.

    • He sang "Happy Birthday" and played on the guitar, continuing after the cake was eaten.

      In this example, "play on" follows the noun "guitar" and is used as a prepositional phrase, indicating that the person kept playing the guitar after the birthday festivities were over.

    • The band played on through the rain and thunder.

      Lastly, "play on" is used as a phrasal verb in this example to convey the idea that the musicians persisted with their performance despite the inclement weather. This idiom can be used to describe someone persevering through any kind of adversity.

    • The pianist's fingers danced across the keys, playing on long after the melody had ended.

      This example uses "play on" to describe how the pianist continued to play even after the song had finished. The phrase "play on" implies a sense of continuing or persisting, even when something should have ended.

    • The cheerleaders continued to cheer as the game entered overtime, playing on even when their team was behind.

      In this example, "playing on" describes how the cheerleaders continued to cheer, even when their team was losing. The phrase suggests a sense of determination or perseverance, as if they were urging their team to keep going despite the odds.

    • The clock seemed to play on, ticking away as time slipped past like sand through an hourglass.

      In this example, "playing on" is used to describe how time seemed to continue despite the speaker's awareness of it passing. The phrase suggests a sense of inevitability, as if time is an unstoppable force that we are all subject to.

    • The wind played on, howling through the trees and rattling the windows.

      This example uses "played on" to describe how the wind continued to blow, even as the speaker listened to it. The phrase suggests a sense of power or strength, as if the wind were a force that could not be stopped or controlled.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "play on" can have two main meanings. It can mean to use or manipulate something for one's own advantage or amusement, or it can mean to continue or extend a particular situation or activity. In both cases, the intention is to either benefit oneself or to prolong a certain action or circumstance.

    In the first meaning, "play on" is often used in a negative context, where someone is using a situation or person for their own advantage. It can also be used in a more lighthearted sense, such as playing on words for a pun or joke.

    In the second meaning, "play on" is used to indicate the continuation or extension of something, whether it be a game, a situation, or a particular emotion. It can also imply a sense of prolonging or drawing out a particular scenario or event.

    Overall, "play on" is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts to convey the idea of using something to one's advantage or extending a particular situation or activity.

    Origin of "play on"

    The origin of the idiom "play on" can be traced back to the concept of play as an action or activity. The word "play" itself has a long history and has evolved to encompass various meanings, including recreation, manipulation, and performance.

    In the context of "play on," the use of "play" to mean manipulation or advantage likely stems from the idea of using something as one would in a game or sport. The idea of continuing or extending a situation or activity also ties back to the concept of play as an ongoing or prolonged action.

    Overall, the origin of "play on" can be linked to the multifaceted nature of the word "play" and its various connotations throughout history. Its use as an idiom reflects the versatility and adaptability of language to convey different meanings and intentions.