What are the definitions of “play up”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Behave badly.
The children PLAYED UP all evening and drove the babysitter mad.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “play up”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb play up is to behave badly or cause trouble. It is often used to describe children who are misbehaving or acting out.
What are the different verb forms of “play up”?
| Root Verb | play up |
| Third Person Singular Present | plays up |
| Present Participle | playing up |
| Simple Past | played up |
| Past Participle | played up |
Example
The children play up when they are tired.
Example
He plays up when he doesn't get his way.
Example
She is playing up because she wants attention.
Example
They played up during the party and made a mess.
Example
The kids had played up all day, leaving their parents exhausted.
What kind of phrasal verb is “play up”?
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.)
Intransitive verb
“play up” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
The children played up all evening.
Example
He played up when he was bored.
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 up” 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 children played up all evening.
Example
He played up when he was bored.
Good things to know
Does “play up” have an informal or formal tone?
Play up is an informal phrasal verb that is commonly used in everyday conversations. It is not typically used in formal writing or professional settings.
