ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play the wag

idiom
Meaning

To play truant (be absent from school without permission).


Examples
SIMPLE

He decided to play the wag and missed his afternoon class.

CONTEXTUAL

The teacher noticed two students were missing and suspected they had gone to play the wag.

COMPLEX

Rather than face the difficult examination, the anxious student chose to play the wag, wandering the city streets until the final bell rang.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  2. 02

    go play in the traffic

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

  3. 03

    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.

  4. 04

    hold-up play

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

  5. 05

    hop the wag

    To play truant (be absent from school without permission).

  6. 06

    play a part

    To be involved in such a way to affect the outcome, to be a contributing factor.

  7. 07

    play a role

    To have an effect or influence on a situation or outcome; to contribute to something.

  8. 08

    play all one's cards

    To use all one's resources.

© 2026 English Reference