Differences between play upon and touch upon
Play upon means to use something to your advantage or to manipulate a situation, while touch upon means to briefly mention or discuss a topic without going into detail.
Meanings and Definitions: play upon vs touch upon
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
Play upon
- 1Exploit a weakness.
They are PLAYING UPON people's concerns to get their way.
Touch upon
- 1Mention.
They didn't TOUCH UPON the subject because of the controversy.
Usage Examples: play upon, touch upon in Sentences
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
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.
touch upon
Example
In the meeting, they touched upon the budget issue.
Example
She touches upon the topic of climate change in her speech.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Play upon
To take advantage of someone or something for personal gain.
Example
The politician tried to exploit the public's fear to gain more votes.
manipulate
To control or influence someone or something in a clever or dishonest way.
Example
The company tried to manipulate the market by spreading false information about their competitors.
To take advantage of an opportunity or situation for personal gain.
Example
The entrepreneur decided to capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly products and started a new business.
Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Touch upon
bring up
To introduce a topic or subject for discussion.
Example
During the meeting, the manager brought up the issue of employee turnover and suggested some solutions.
Explore more Phrasal Verbs
Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles
Phrasal Verbs with “play”
Phrasal Verbs with “touch”
Phrasal Verbs with “upon”
Differences in play upon vs touch upon: Usage, Formality, and Tone
Frequency in Daily Use: play upon or touch upon?
In everyday conversation, touch upon is more common than play upon. Touch upon is used frequently in both formal and informal settings, while play upon is less common and often used in specific contexts such as politics or marketing.
Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of play upon and touch upon
Touch upon is suitable for both formal and informal situations. It's a versatile phrase that can be used in various contexts. On the other hand, play upon is more informal and often used in casual conversations or specific contexts like advertising or politics.
Tone and Implication: The Nuances of play upon and touch upon
The tone of play upon and touch upon can differ based on context. Play upon often carries a negative connotation when related to manipulation or exploitation, while touch upon typically has a neutral or positive tone, especially when referring to briefly mentioning a topic.
