play up to



play up to someone

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.
See also: play, up

play up to somebody/something

to treat someone or something very well so they will like you Politicians are always playing up to the media.
Usage notes: often said about efforts to benefit from someone's position or importance
See also: play, up

play up to

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.
See also: play, up

play up to

To curry favor with.
See also: play, up

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Annets['ænits]
ElmaEL-mah (German)Dutch, German
Behar-Albanian
Diodorus-Ancient Greek (Latinized)
Timaeustie-MEE-əs (English)Ancient Greek (Latinized), Biblical Latin, Biblical
BoydBOID (English)Scottish, English