play up to
Related to play up to: Play Dough
play up to (one)
To try to win the favor of one, especially in order to gain an advantage. John's been playing up to the boss so he'll be considered for the promotion. You'll have to play up to the governor herself if you want to get approval for this project.
See also: play, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
play up to someone
to flatter someone; to try to gain influence with someone. It won't do any good to play up to me. I refuse to agree to your proposal. I played up to him and he still wouldn't give in to me.
See also: play, up
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
play up to
Curry favor with, flatter, as in There's no use playing up to the boss; it doesn't influence him. This expression originated about 1800 in the theater, where it meant "to support or assist another actor." Within a couple of decades it was being used in other venues.
See also: play, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
play up to
To curry favor with.
See also: play, up
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- ball-buster
- ball-breaker
- breaker
- buster
- for the ride
- off to a flying start
- flying start
- a flying start
- be/go along for the ride
- go along for the ride