# play hard to get

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-hard-to-get
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Of a courtship, to be coy; to feign lack of romantic interest in a certain person, so as to compel that person to be more overt in expressing interest.

## Examples

- She is playing hard to get with him.
- He kept texting her, but she was playing hard to get to see if he was truly interested.
- Although she felt a strong connection, she decided to play hard to get, hoping that a little distance would encourage him to pursue her more earnestly.

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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.