play dirty

play dirty

To cheat or use deceitful tactics in order to win or succeed at something. Their team started playing dirty as soon as they fell behind, throwing sand into other players' eyes or stepping on people's toes when the ref wasn't looking. I'd watch out for that prosecutor. I heard he isn't afraid to play dirty if it helps him win a case.
See also: dirty, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play dirty

act in a dishonest or unfair way. informal
See also: dirty, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • catch not at the shadow and lose the substance
  • take the shadow for the substance
  • swallow (something) hook, line, and sinker
  • swallow hook, line, and sinker
  • wangle (one's) way out of (something)
  • wangle out of
  • wangle out of (someone or something)
  • strike a false note
  • sound a false note
  • sound/strike a false note
References in periodicals archive
'If you want to play dirty, we'll play dirty too, we'll take note of that going into Game 2.'
Ross calls out Jones for intentional hit
If you want to play dirty, we will play dirty too." Ross ended.
Chris Ross believes Terrence Jones purposely hit him
David decides if his big brother is going to play dirty to stay out of jail, he will too, but Gail has other ideas and gathers her clan for a meeting.
Nick Plays Dirty Tricks... Coronation Street STV
You used a somber occasion to play dirty politics, conveniently ignoring your own government's decision to hold a parallel event instead of extending support to my govt, which we'd been requesting for 2 yrs," the Chief Minister tweeted.
Punjab CM lashes out at PM Modi for politicising Jallianwala Bagh centenary event
He knows Watford will be massive underdogs in their first final since 1984, but said they do not fear City, and will play dirty if they have to.
GRAY: BLUES CRUISING FOR A BRUISING
Lim, who is running under the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), said he does not intend to get back at those spreading the rumors, play dirty tricks or engage in mudslinging.
Alfredo Lim denies backing out of mayoral race
Sometimes you've got to play dirty, play nasty, and do whatever it takes to win the game.
The fans were up for it ... but the players just folded
His money, through super model Ayyan Ali, went out of the country and he is using money to play dirty politics and buy votes.
Will personally hit with slippers those who disrespect parliament: Abid Sher Ali
Saving what little has left is only possible without Gruevski and the clique because those who play dirty always end up in the mud, Bilalli says.
Unseen lunatics!
"You can never WIN when you play DIRTY! Girl bye #karma 1 down, 1 to go," Leakes (https://twitter.com/NeNeLeakes/status/861375490732544000) live-tweeted during Season 9's reunion part 4 of the long-running reality series.
NeNe Leakes Returning To 'RHOA' After Blasting Phaedra Parks
EMMERDALE (ITV, 7pm) WHEN Jai finds out Nikhil might stay on in the village, he decides to play dirty to get him out of his life.
WE LOVE SOAPS
And with Lloyd and Steve still miffed with one another, Andrea and Michelle realise they need to play dirty if the old mates are to build bridges before the cabbie starts a new life in Jersey.
CORONATION STREET - ITV1
Continue reading "David Blatt's Cavs Play Dirty, Defeat Celtics To Move On In NBA Playoffs" at...
David Blatt's Cavs Play Dirty, Defeat Celtics To Move On In NBA Playoffs
HOPEFUL: Layla wants Megan is frustrated to see her rival in Jai's office so she starts to play dirty, warning Leyla that Jai would be mad to consider going into partnership with her.
Burgers with sauce
It was like a throwback to the 1960s and 70s, when the Italian teams would come and teach us how to play dirty.
It's no surprise