to flatter someone; to try to gain influence with someone. It won't do any good to play up to me. I refuse to agree to your proposal.I played up to him and he still wouldn't give in to me.
Curry favor with, flatter, as in There's no use playing up to the boss; it doesn't influence him. This expression originated about 1800 in the theater, where it meant "to support or assist another actor." Within a couple of decades it was being used in other venues.