Differences between play at and play upon
Play at means to do something for fun or as a hobby, without taking it seriously. On the other hand, play upon means to manipulate or influence someone or something for personal gain.
Meanings and Definitions: play at vs play upon
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Play at
- 1Pretend to be something.
He just PLAYS AT being a lawyer- he never wins a case.
Play upon
- 1Exploit a weakness.
They are PLAYING UPON people's concerns to get their way.
Usage Examples: play at, play upon in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
play at
Example
She likes to play at being a teacher with her dolls.
Example
He plays at being a musician, but he never practices.
play upon
Example
The politician played upon the fears of the public to gain support.
Example
She plays upon her opponent's weaknesses in the game.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Play at
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Play upon
manipulate
To control or influence someone or something for personal gain.
Example
The politician tried to manipulate the media to gain more support for his campaign.
To take advantage of someone or something for personal gain.
Example
The company was accused of exploiting its workers by paying them low wages and providing poor working conditions.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “play”
Phrasal Verbs with “upon”
Differences in play at vs play upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: play at or play upon?
In everyday conversation, play at is more common than play upon. Play at is often used when talking about hobbies or activities that are done for fun, while play upon is used in more serious situations where someone is being manipulated or influenced.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of play at and play upon
Play at and play upon are both informal phrases that are suitable for casual conversations. However, play upon can be used in more formal settings such as business or politics.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of play at and play upon
The tone of play at is usually lighthearted and playful, while play upon has a more serious and manipulative tone.
