View synonyms for

play down

verb

(tr, adverb) to make little or light of; minimize the importance of

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Idioms and Phrases

Make little of, minimize the importance of, as in A skillful salesman plays down the drawbacks of the product and emphasizes its good features . [First half of 1900s]

play down to . Lower one's standards to meet the demands of someone, as in Some stand-up comics deliberately play down to the vulgar taste of their audiences . [Late 1800s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

England sources have so far played down the prospect of him being fast-tracked into the squad at this stage.

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Both Australia and the UK - which did its own review last year - have sought to play down news of the US probe, saying it is natural for a new administration to reassess.

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The British number two, now ranked 37th in the world, begins her Queen's campaign on Monday against Spain's Cristina Bucsa but has played down her expectations and is managing an ongoing issue of back spasms.

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Yamal played down any suggestion this match would have an impact in the Ballon d'Or decision - with the winner announced on 22 September in Paris.

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Swiatek played down the significance of the session, which took place as she looked to rediscover her game.

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playdown played out

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