# play games

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-games
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To deceive; to lie about one's intentions.

## Examples

- Stop playing games and tell me the truth.
- I want a serious answer about the contract, so please stop playing games with me.
- The negotiator realized the other side was merely playing games to delay the final agreement until the deadline passed.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.