| play swordplay | the act using a sword (or other weapon) vigorously and skillfully |
force out
force-out
force play
force | a putout of a base runner who is required to run, the putout is accomplished by holding the ball while touching the base to which the runner must advance before the runner reaches that base, the shortstop got the runner at second on a force |
gambling
gaming
play | the act of playing for stakes in the hope of winning (including the payment of a price for a chance to win a prize), his gambling cost him a fortune, there was heavy play at the blackjack table |
| play child's play | activity by children that is guided more by imagination than by fixed rules, Freud believed in the utility of play to a small child |
| turn play | (game) the activity of doing something in an agreed succession, it is my turn, it is still my play |
medal play
stroke play | golf scoring by total strokes taken |
| match play | golf scoring by holes won |
play
frolic
romp
gambol
caper a | gay or light-hearted recreational activity for diversion or amusement, it was all done in play, their frolic in the surf threatened to become ugly |
| word play | playing on words or speech sounds |
| maneuver manoeuvre play | a deliberate coordinated movement requiring dexterity and skill, he made a great maneuver, the runner was out on a play by the shortstop |
| play | a preset plan of action in team sports, the coach drew up the plays for her team |
| power play | (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties, the team was unable to capitalize on the power play |
| football play | (American football) a play by the offensive team |
run running running play
running game | (American football) a play in which a player attempts to carry the ball through or past the opposing team, the defensive line braced to stop the run, the coach put great emphasis on running |
| draw draw play | (American football) the quarterback moves back as if to pass and then hands the ball to the fullback who is running toward the line of scrimmage |
pass passing play
passing game
passing | (American football) a play that involves one player throwing the ball to a teammate, the coach sent in a passing play on third and long |
| power play | a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play, they used a power play to return the kickoff |
| basketball play | a play executed by a basketball team |
| baseball play | (baseball) a play executed by a baseball team |
| double play | the act of getting two players out on one play |
| triple play | the act of getting three players out on one play |
| squeeze play | a baseball play in which a runner on third base tries to score as the batter bunts the pitch |
suicide squeeze play
suicide squeeze | the runner on third base starts home as the pitcher delivers the ball |
safety squeeze play
safety squeeze | the runner on third base waits to start home until the batter has bunted successfully |
cinch breeze
picnic
snap duck soup
child's play
pushover
walkover
piece of cake | any undertaking that is easy to do, marketing this product will be no picnic |
| play therapy | form of psychotherapy for children that uses play situations for diagnosis or treatment |
| foul play | unfair or dishonest behavior (especially involving violence) |
bid
play | an attempt to get something, they made a futile play for power, he made a bid to gain attention |
power play
squeeze play squeeze | an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power, she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away |
| play | utilization or exercise, the play of the imagination |
mousetrap
trap play | (American football) a play in which a defensive player is allowed to cross the line of scrimmage and then blocked off as the runner goes through the place the lineman vacated |
playbox
play-box | a box for a child's toys and personal things (especially at a boarding school) |
looseness
play | movement or space for movement, there was too much play in the steering wheel |
playlist
play list | a list of musical selections for performance or for broadcast by radio |
fun
play sport | verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously), he became a figure of fun, he said it in sport |
| play reading | performance of a play by a group of readers |
| play drama dramatic play | a dramatic work intended for performance by actors on a stage, he wrote several plays but only one was produced on Broadway |
| miracle play | a medieval play representing episodes from the life of a saint or martyr |
| morality play | an allegorical play popular in the th and th centuries, characters personified virtues and vices |
| mystery play | a medieval play representing episodes from the life of Christ |
| Passion play | a play representing the Passion of Christ |
| satyr play | an ancient Greek burlesque with a chorus of satyrs |
| play | a theatrical performance of a drama, the play lasted two hours |
galanty show
shadow show
shadow play | a drama executed by throwing shadows on a wall |
puppet show
puppet play | a show in which the actors are puppets |
shimmer
play | a weak and tremulous light, the shimmer of colors on iridescent feathers, the play of light on the water |
playschool
play group | a small informal nursery group meeting for half-day sessions |
barnstormer playactor
play-actor
trouper | an actor who travels around the country presenting plays |
free rein
play | the removal of constraints, he gave free rein to his impulses, they gave full play to the artist's talent |
| play | a state in which action is feasible, the ball was still in play, insiders said the company's stock was in play |