# play well with others

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-well-with-others
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To habitually demonstrate interpersonal skills by engaging agreeably in social or work activities.

## Examples

- He is a great teammate because he plays well with others.
- You need to play well with others if you want to join our club.
- The manager hired her because she has the technical skills and plays well with others in a group setting.
- Even though the new designer is very talented, he might lose his job if he does not learn how to play well with others during staff meetings.
- In a modern corporate environment, success often depends less on individual brilliance and more on one's ability to play well with others during high-pressure projects.

## Origin

Attested as a set phrase from the mid-20th century, the expression originates in the standardised assessments of primary education report cards. It preserves the specific language used by instructors to evaluate a child's social integration and cooperative behaviour during play. The phrase transitioned from the classroom to the professional sphere, where it now serves as a metric for adult conduct.

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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.