play down (something)

to try to make something seem less serious than it really is.

He played down the seriousness of his condition because he didn't want anyone to worry.

It's a sensitive issue, and they want to play it down until after the elections.

• there'll be hell to pay
• there's a lot to be said for
• there's a lot to be said for doing something
• there's a lot to be said for something
• There's a time and a place.
• There's life in the old dog yet.
• There's many a slip twixt cup and lip.
• There's many a true word spoken in jest.
• there's method in madness
• there's method in someone's madness
• There's more than one way to skin a cat.
• there's much to be said for
• there's much to be said for doing something
• there's much to be said for something
• There's no accounting for taste!
• there's no law against
• there's no law against doing something
• there's no law against something
• There's no peace for the wicked!
• There's no rest for the wicked!
• There's no smoke without fire.
• There's no such thing as a free lunch.
• there's no telling
• there's nothing to it
• There's nothing to it.