What are the definitions of “play down”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Try to make something seem less important.
The Government has tried to PLAY DOWN the importance of the minister's resignation.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “play down”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb play down is to try to make something seem less important, serious, or negative than it really is. This is often done to avoid causing worry or concern.
What are the different verb forms of “play down”?
| Root Verb | play down |
| Third Person Singular Present | plays down |
| Present Participle | playing down |
| Simple Past | played down |
| Past Participle | played down |
Example
They tried to play down the seriousness of the situation.
Example
She plays down her achievements to avoid seeming boastful.
Example
He is playing down the impact of the new policy on the community.
Example
The company played down the negative effects of the product recall.
Example
The risks were played down by the management to avoid panic.
What kind of phrasal verb is “play down”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“play down” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The politician played down the scandal.
Example
She played down her role in the project.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“play down” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The politician played down the scandal.
Example
She played down her role in the project.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “play down”?
Play down the importance
To minimize the significance or value of something.
Example
The manager played down the importance of the employee's contributions to the project.
Good things to know
Does “play down” have an informal or formal tone?
Play down is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal settings such as news reports, business meetings, and academic discussions.
