Phrasal verb
play down
Irregular verb
Forms
Infinitive
play down
Past
played down
Past participle
played down
Definition
phrasal verb. to make something seem less important or less serious than it really is.
phrasal verb. To represent something as being of little importance or value. The verb is transitive and optionally separable, often used in professional contexts to minimize the perceived significance of a problem or error.
Examples
“The government tried to play down the bad news.”
“Although the injury was quite painful, the athlete tried to play it down so the coach wouldn't take him out of the game.”
“The CEO's attempt to play down the environmental impact of the spill was met with fierce criticism from local activists and international media.”
Examples
simple
“The government tried to play down the bad news.”
contextual
“Although the injury was quite painful, the athlete tried to play it down so the coach wouldn't take him out of the game.”
complex
“The CEO's attempt to play down the environmental impact of the spill was met with fierce criticism from local activists and international media.”
Usage
Often used with abstract nouns like 'importance', 'significance', or 'seriousness'.
Teaching tip
Contrast with 'play up' to show how the particles 'up' and 'down' function as metaphors for increasing or decreasing importance.
Pitfall
He played down it.
He played it down.
When the object is a pronoun, it must be placed between the verb and the particle.
Phrasal verb
Particles
down
Separability
optional
Pattern
play + (object) + down
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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