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Phrases related to: play it straight Page #5

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play the ball and not the manTo object to someone's argument by attacking the argument itself instead of them or a facet of their personality; to avoid or make the opposite of an ad hominem attack. Usually considered a positive action, and an avoidance of a fallacious argumentative technique. Often used in comparison to play the man and not the ball.Rate it:

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play the ball and not the manTo attack the ball instead of an opponent who is usually controlling the ball. Often considered a positive action, and sometimes a requirement not to concede a penalty.Rate it:

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play the fieldTo date more than one person at the same time.Rate it:

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play the fieldDate a number of eligible females.Rate it:

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Play the FieldTo have many lovers and dates without making a single genuine commitment with one particular personRate it:

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Play the FireTaking unnecessary risk, or cautiously putting oneself in a dangerous situation, inviting dangerRate it:

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play the foolTo behave in a foolish or comical manner.Rate it:

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play the gender cardTo assert that sexism is involved in a situation, especially in order to exploit sexist or antisexist attitudes.Rate it:

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play the giddy goatto behave wildly, irresponsibly.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play the hand one is dealtTo use the resources which one actually has available; to operate realistically, within the limits of one's circumstances.Rate it:

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play the man and not the ballTo attack an opponent instead of attacking the ball, which is usually being controlled by the attacked player at the time.Rate it:

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play the man and not the ballTo object to someone's argument by attacking them or a facet of their personality instead of the argument itself; to make an ad hominem attack.Rate it:

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play the poniesTo bet on horse racing.Rate it:

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play the race cardMark Fuhrman, Murder in Brentwood p.153.Rate it:

(1.00 / 3 votes)
play the race cardDonald A. Carson, Love in Hard Places p.94.Rate it:

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play the race cardTo assert that race or racism is responsible for a course of events, especially when race is not of particular significance to the issue in question; to attempt to inspire a particular reaction by raising the issue of race.Rate it:

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play the same tapeTo repeat exactly what one previously said or did.Rate it:

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play to the crowdTo appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.Rate it:

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play to the galleryTo appeal to the least sophisticated parts of an audience in order to obtain maximum approval.Rate it:

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play to winTo make a special, determined effort to achieve general success or a particular goal, in life, in one's career, in negotiation, etc.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play to winTo play in an especially competitive, committed manner, focused intently on winning.Rate it:

(1.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play upTo misbehave.Rate it:

(3.80 / 5 votes)
play well with othersTo habitually demonstrate social skills by engaging agreeably in social or work activities.Rate it:

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play withUsed other than as an idiom: play with.Rate it:

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play withTo fiddle with; make small adjustments to, for example to something mechanical in order to improve its performance.Rate it:

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play withTo trick.Rate it:

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play withTo sexually stimulate the genitals.Rate it:

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play with a full deckTo play a game with the availability of a team's full roster of players.Rate it:

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play with a full deckTo behave in a manner suggesting that one is of normal intelligence, alert, and mentally stable.Rate it:

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play with fireCommit one's self to do something extraordinary, dangerous, illegal, actions taken, lacking good judgement.Rate it:

(2.00 / 1 vote)
play with fireTo put oneself in a precarious situation with a high risk of getting harmed, particularly emotionally or financially.Rate it:

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play with house moneyTo act as if or be in a situation that, no matter the outcome, there is virtually no significant downside or risk; commonly used to refer to using already won funds (gambled money, casino winnings, etc.) to finance an endeavor (or continue to gamble) such that there is no real, perceivable or potential lossRate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)
play with oneselfTo masturbate.Rate it:

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populariter agereto play the demagogue.Rate it:

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prim and properprudish, straight-lacedRate it:

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pull a fast onePlay a trick upon another. Tell a joke about another, surprise another with swiftness, delude another, lead another astray.Rate it:

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Pull the Wool over Your EyesTo play trick with someone making him or her fool, to deceive or cheat someoneRate it:

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put onTo play recorded music.Rate it:

(2.00 / 3 votes)
quand le chat n'est pas là, les souris dansentwhen the cat's away the mice will playRate it:

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rain stopped playThe cessation of an activity or operation due to rain.Rate it:

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read to filth (or) read for filthBasically to scold, or to get called out on something; to reprimand, to degrade, to cuss out, to correct, to set them straight, to tell them what's what & who's who.Rate it:

(4.60 / 5 votes)
recta (regione, via); in directumin a straight line.Rate it:

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rectā (viā)straight on.Rate it:

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rule outTo cross an item out by drawing a straight line through it, as with a ruler.Rate it:

(4.00 / 4 votes)
run of playA passage of play; a series of consecutive moments, considered as a whole.Rate it:

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scare straightTo frighten (someone) to such a degree that a significant improvement in behavior results.Rate it:

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screw aroundTo waste time; to dawdle; to play or idle.Rate it:

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se piquer au jeu(lit.) To continue obstinately to play although losing; (fig.) To go on in an enterprise in spite of all obstacles.Rate it:

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second bananaA comedian who plays a secondary or supporting role, especially as straight man and traditionally in vaudeville or burlesque theatre.Rate it:

(5.00 / 1 vote)

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