play politics

1. Lit. to negotiate politically. Everybody at city hall is playing politics as usual. If you're elected as a member of a political party, you'll have to play politics.

2. to allow politics to dominate in matters where principle should prevail. Look, I came here to discuss the legal issues of this trial, not play politics. They're not making reasonable decisions. They're playing politics.

play politics (with something)

to make something into a political issue She accused her opponent of playing politics with affirmative action in an attempt to divide the American people. Either we can play politics or we can take these studies seriously and make the changes we need to make.

play politics

Act for personal or political gain rather than principle, as in I don't think this judge is fair-he's playing politics. [Mid-1800s]

Common Names:

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Jamesina	-	Scottish
Takuma	tah-koo-mah	Japanese
Wigmund	-	Anglo-Saxon
Hurik	-	Armenian
Archie	['a:tʃ]
Etele	-	Hungarian (Rare)