play it straight



play it straight

To do something in a completely serious, straightforward manner, without any kind of jocosity, foolishness, duplicity, deception, etc. I started dating Samantha because I loved her sense of humor and her chilled out manner, but I wish she would play it straight with me about what she thinks about our relationship. I'm tired of playing it straight; from now on, if there's an easy way to make a buck, I'm going to exploit it!
See also: play, straight

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Katsurokah-tsoo-ṙo:Japanese
Jalila-Arabic
Tim[tim]
Kazimierakah-zee-MYE-rahPolish
Sophia[sə'faiə]
JaropeŁKyah-RAW-pewkPolish