# play up

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/play-up
Updated: 2026-10-22

## Definition

to behave badly or not work the way it should. You use this for a child who is being difficult or a machine that is broken.

For teachers: to behave in a troublesome way or to malfunction. The verb is intransitive in this sense and is frequently applied to children, body parts, or mechanical devices.

## Examples

- My computer is playing up and keeps freezing.
- The toddler started to play up in the middle of the supermarket because he wanted some chocolate.
- Despite the knee injury playing up during the final set, the athlete refused to retire from the match.

## Pitfalls

- Not "My leg is playing up me." but "My leg is playing up." — When 'play up' means to cause pain or malfunction, it is intransitive and cannot take an object.

## Usage notes

- This sense is intransitive and does not take a direct object.
- Teaching tip: Contrast with the American equivalent 'act up' and the transitive sense 'to play something up' which means to emphasize it.

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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.