Differences between play up to and stand up to
Play up to means to flatter or try to gain favor with someone, often in a manipulative way. Stand up to means to confront or resist someone or something, often in a brave or assertive way.
Meanings and Definitions: play up to vs stand up to
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Play up to
- 1Flatter someone.
I'm PLAYING UP TO my boss at the moment because I want the promotion.
- 2Behave in a way expected.
He's got a reputation for being trouble and PLAYS UP TO it.
Stand up to
- 1Keep your principles when challenged by an authority.
She STOOD UP TO the police when they tried to corrupt her.
- 2Resist damage.
This coat will STAND UP TO the roughest weather conditions.
Usage Examples: play up to, stand up to in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
play up to
Example
She always plays up to her teachers to get better grades.
Example
He plays up to his boss to get a raise.
stand up to
Example
She stands up to her boss when he treats her unfairly.
Example
He stands up to the bullies at school.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Play up to
butter up
To flatter or praise someone excessively in order to gain their favor or approval.
Example
He's always buttering up his boss in hopes of getting a promotion.
suck up to
To behave obsequiously or fawn over someone in order to gain their favor or approval.
Example
She's always sucking up to the teacher in hopes of getting better grades.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stand up to
take a stand
To make a firm decision or take a clear position on an issue, often in the face of opposition or controversy.
Example
The CEO decided to take a stand against discrimination and implemented new policies to promote diversity and inclusion.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “play”
Phrasal Verbs with “stand”
Phrasal Verbs with “up to”
Differences in play up to vs stand up to: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: play up to or stand up to?
In daily conversation, people use stand up to more often than play up to. This is because stand up to is used for situations where someone needs to be assertive or confrontational, which can happen more frequently than situations where someone needs to flatter or manipulate others.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of play up to and stand up to
Play up to and stand up to are both informal phrases that are suitable for everyday conversations. However, stand up to can also be used in more formal settings like business or academic contexts.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of play up to and stand up to
The tone of play up to and stand up to can differ based on context. Play up to often carries a negative connotation as it implies manipulation or insincerity. On the other hand, stand up to typically has a positive connotation as it implies bravery and assertiveness.
play up to & stand up to: Synonyms and Antonyms
Play up to
Synonyms
- flatter
- praise
- compliment
- ingratiate
- butter up
- fawn over
- curry favor
