ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play it cool

idiom
Meaning

to act cool


Examples
SIMPLE

Try to play it cool when you see your crush.

CONTEXTUAL

Even though I was nervous about the job interview, I tried to play it cool and answer calmly.

COMPLEX

Despite the mounting pressure to reveal his true intentions, he managed to play it cool until the final negotiations were complete.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  2. 02

    cool cat

    A person who performs or appreciates jazz, especially one whose style of speech and movement is relaxed and rhythmic.

  3. 03

    cool head

    A calm, focused demeanor and mindset; a person having such characteristics.

  4. 04

    cool one's heels

    To wait, especially impatiently or restlessly.

  5. 05

    cool one's jets

    To become less excited, intense, or active; to exercise self-restraint.

  6. 06

    go play in the traffic

    To go elsewhere and feel free to engage in risky behavior; to get lost.

  7. 07

    grandstand play

    A successful play or other manoeuvre during a sporting competition in which one or more players shows off unnecessarily in order to entertain or impress the spectators.

  8. 08

    hold-up play

    A play where an attacker retains possession of the ball, while the teammates can move up the field.

Last updated April 17, 2026