play politics

play politics

To act with personal political motivations in mind, rather than the principle or general benefits of an action. It's clear the mayor is just playing politics—saying whatever will win him votes at the moment.
See also: play, politics
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play politics

 
1. Lit. to negotiate politically. Everybody at city hall is playing politics as usual. If you're elected as a member of a political party, you'll have to play politics.
2. to allow politics to dominate in matters where principle should prevail. Look, I came here to discuss the legal issues of this trial, not play politics. They're not making reasonable decisions. They're playing politics.
See also: play, politics
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

play politics

Act for personal or political gain rather than principle, as in I don't think this judge is fair-he's playing politics. [Mid-1800s]
See also: play, politics
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

play politics

act for political or personal gain rather than from principle. derogatory
See also: play, politics
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • (it's) nothing personal
  • personal
  • on principle
  • out of the goodness of heart
  • out of the goodness of your heart
  • out the goodness of (one's) heart
  • out the kindness of (one's) heart
  • sine
  • nulla poena sine lege
  • walk a mile in (someone's) shoes
References in classic literature
It ought to play politics, but the politics ought to be the right kind."
You (Kamal) used my move to play politics; you took out a rally, gathered your party workers, called the media and started saying those same vile things that you had said about me before.
But to play politics at his memorial service with no consideration for his wife, mother and family was disrespectful to him.
'I always believe that if the government look into that report because it was not written by me, so we should not play politics with the issue of national issues.
President Duterte does not "play politics" like other politicians and will not interfere with the speakership battle in the House of Representatives, Malacanang said Friday.
President Rodrigo Duterte would rather focus on governing the country rather than 'play politics' in the House Speakership race, Malcanang said Wednesday.
New Delhi (India) Mar 18 (ANI): It is sad that Congress is finding Manohar Parrikar's demise as an opportune moment to play politics in Goa, said BJP leader Ram Madhav here on Sunday.
However, Labour group leader Councillor Eddie Devine said it was never an option to"play politics"with a service they believe to be more crucial now than ever.
Asked about Trump's tweets, the French president said "I think he's playing politics, and I let him play politics".
He said the Opposition attempted to play politics when it claimed that its 'ceramah' (talk) in Putrajaya recently had attracted a sea of civil servants.
I hope the Sindh government will take appropriate action on this issue and will not play politics.
While speaking at a seminar opposition leader said today's wives also say to their husbands, ' don't play politics with us (Hum say siyasat mat karo)'.
"If they try to play politics over it, we will give a befitting reply," Congress spokesman Anand Sharma said after a Delhi court issued summons to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey said: "George Osborne has stooped so low that he's prepared to play politics with the aspirations of the lowest paid."