play it cool
to act cool
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“Try to play it cool when you see your crush.”
“Even though I was nervous about the job interview, I tried to play it cool and answer calmly.”
“Despite the mounting pressure to reveal his true intentions, he managed to play it cool until the final negotiations were complete.”
- 01
child's play
Something particularly easy or simple.
- 02
cool cat
A person who performs or appreciates jazz, especially one whose style of speech and movement is relaxed and rhythmic.
- 03
cool head
A calm, focused demeanor and mindset; a person having such characteristics.
- 04
cool one's heels
To wait, especially impatiently or restlessly.
- 05
cool one's jets
To become less excited, intense, or active; to exercise self-restraint.
- 06
go play in the traffic
To go elsewhere and feel free to engage in risky behavior; to get lost.
- 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.
- 08
hold-up play
A play where an attacker retains possession of the ball, while the teammates can move up the field.
Last updated August 10, 2026