play on words
Related to play on words: thesaurus, Idioms
play on words
A creative use of words that have multiple meanings, often in a humorous way; a pun. Most people groan when they hear a pun, but a clever play on words can always make me laugh.
See also: on, play, word
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
play on words
A word or turn of phrase with a double meaning, a pun or other humorous use of language. For example, Shakespeare was a master at plays on words-his dramas are full of puns. [First half of 1700s]
See also: on, play, word
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
a play on words
COMMON A play on words is a clever or humorous use of a word, especially one that has more than one meaning. This play got most of its laughs from a play on words. Its short form, TGB, is a French play on words on the TGV, the high speed train project.
See also: on, play, word
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
a play on ˈwords
a clever or amusing use of a word that has more than one meaning, or of words that have different meanings but sound similar/the same; a pun: When Elvis Presley had his hair cut off in the army he said, ‘Hair today and gone tomorrow’. It was a play on words — the usual expression is ‘here today and gone tomorrow.’ ▶ ˈwordplay noun: Many of the jokes are based on puns and wordplay.See also: on, play, word
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- a play on words
- put (something) into words
- put into words
- exchange no more than
- exchange no more than (an amount of) words
- in so many words
- in so/as many words
- have no words for
- have no words for (someone or something)
- a smile is worth a thousand words