play
verb
noun
pleɪ verb
1
CHILDREN
儿童
when children play, they do things that they enjoy, often with other people or with toys 玩，玩耍 I,T
Kids were playing and chasing each other.
孩子们互相追逐嬉闹。
play catch/house/tag/school etc
Outside, the children were playing cowboys and Indians.
孩子们在外面玩牛仔和印第安人的游戏。
[+ with ]
Did you like to play with dolls when you were little?
你小时候喜不喜欢玩娃娃？
Parents need to spend time just playing with their children.
父母应该花时间和自己的孩子玩耍。
2
SPORTS/GAMES
体育运动/比赛
a. to take part or compete in a game or sport b. to use a particular piece, card, person etc in a game or sport c. to take a particular position on a team d. to hit a ball in a particular way or to a particular place in a game or sport 〔在比赛或运动中〕击〔球〕，打〔球〕 I,T T I,T T
Karen began playing basketball when she was six.
凯伦六岁时开始打篮球。
If you feel any pain, you shouldn’t play.
如果你觉得疼，就不该参赛。
Men were sitting in the park, playing cards.
男人们坐在公园里打牌。
[+ against ]
Bristol will play against Coventry next week.
下周布里斯托队将迎战考文垂队。
She’s playing Helen Evans in the semi-final. (=playing against her)
半决赛中她将迎战海伦．埃文斯。
[+ for ]
Moxon played for England in ten test matches.
莫克森代表英格兰队参加过十场国际板球对抗赛。
Harrison played a ten of spades.
哈里森出了一张黑桃十。
The Regents played Eddie at center (=used him as a player in that position) in the game against Arizona.
加州大学队在和亚利桑那大学队的比赛中派埃迪出场担任中锋。
Garvey played first base for the Dodgers.
加维在道奇队中打一垒。
She played the ball low, just over the net.
她把球打得很低，刚刚过网。
3
MUSIC
音乐
to perform a piece of music on a musical instrument 演奏，弹奏 I,T
He’s learning to play the piano.
他在学习弹钢琴。
She played a Bach prelude.
她演奏了一首巴赫的前奏曲。
Haden has played with many jazz greats.
黑登和许多著名的爵士乐手合作过。
A small orchestra was playing.
一支小型管弦乐队在演奏。
4
RADIO/CD ETC
广播/唱片等
if a radio, CD etc plays, or if you play it, it produces sound, especially music 播放 I,T
The bedside radio played softly.
床边的收音机播放着轻柔的乐曲。
play a record/CD/tape etc
DJs playing the latest house and techno tracks
播放着最新豪斯音乐和泰克诺音乐的音乐节目主持人们
5
THEATRE/FILM
剧院/电影
a. to perform the actions and say the words of a particular character in a theatre performance, film etc b. if a play or film is playing at a particular theatre, it is being performed or shown there c. if actors play a theatre, they perform there in a play 〔演员〕在〔剧院〕演出 T I T
Streep plays a shy, nervous woman.
斯特里普扮演一個腼腆、神经質的女人。
play a role/part/character etc
Playing a character so different from herself was a challenge.
扮演一个和她本人如此不同的角色是个挑战。
‘Macbeth’ is playing at the Theatre Royal in York.
《麦克白》正在约克的皇家剧院上演。
6
play a part/role
to have an effect or influence on something 〔在某事中〕起作用，有影响
[+ in ]
A good diet and fitness play a large part in helping people live longer.
合理的饮食和良好的健康在延长人们寿命这方面起到重要作用。
7
play ball
a. to throw, kick, hit, or catch a ball as a game or activity b. to do what someone wants you to do 听命
Jim and Karl were playing ball in the backyard.
吉姆和卡尔在后院玩球。
So far, the company has refused to play ball, preferring to remain independent.
至今这家公司不愿意做傀儡，更希望保持独立。
8
PRETEND
假装
to behave as if you are a particular kind of person or have a particular feeling or quality, even though it is not true 假装，装扮 linking verb 连系动词
the accusation that scientists are playing God
对科学家冒充上帝的指责
Some snakes fool predators by playing dead .
有些蛇会以装死来蒙骗猎食者。
‘What do you mean?’ ‘Don’t play dumb .’ (=pretend you do not know something)
“你什么意思？”“别装糊涂了。”
play the idiot/the teacher etc
Susan felt she had to play the good wife.
苏珊觉得自己必须装成好妻子。
He played the fool (=behaved in a silly way) at school instead of working.
他在学校总干蠢事而不学习。
9
BEHAVE
表现
to behave in a particular way in a situation, in order to achieve the result or effect that you want 〔以某种方式〕表现，行〔事〕 T always + adv/prep
How do you want to play this meeting?
你想怎么开这次会议？
Play it safe (=avoid risks) and make sure the eggs are thoroughly cooked.
保险一点，一定要把这些蛋煮透。
play it carefully/cool etc
If you like him, play it cool, or you might scare him off.
你就是喜欢他，也需要慢慢来，否则可能会把他吓跑。
10
play games
10. to hide your real feelings or wishes in order to achieve something in a clever or secret way – used to show disapproval 耍花招，耍手段〔含贬义〕
Stop playing games, Luke, and tell me what you want.
别耍花招了，卢克，告诉我你想要什么。
11
play sth by ear
11. a. to decide what to do according to the way a situation develops, without making plans before that time b. if someone can play a musical instrument by ear, they can play a tune without looking at written music 不看乐谱演奏
We’ll see what the weather’s like and play it by ear .
我们将根据天气情况随机应变。
12
play a joke/trick/prank on sb
12. to do something to someone as a joke or trick 跟某人开玩笑，捉弄某人
13
play the game
13. a. to do things in the way you are expected to do them or in a way that is usual in a particular situation b. to behave in a fair and honest way [英] 办事公道，光明正大 BrE
If you want a promotion, you’ve got to play the game.
如果你想得到晋升，就要规规矩矩的。
14
play the race/nationalist/environmentalist etc card
14. to use a particular subject in politics in order to gain an advantage 打种族/民族主义/环保主义等的牌〔指使用某个政治话题来赢得优势〕
a leader who is skillfully playing the nationalist card to keep power
老练地打出民族主义的牌以保持权力的一位领导
15
play your cards right
15. to say or do things in a situation in such a way that you gain as much as possible from it 做事精明，处理得当
Who knows? If you play your cards right , maybe he’ll marry you.
谁知道呢？如果你精明些，说不定他会娶你呢。
16
play your cards close to your chest
16. to keep secret what you are doing in a situation 对自己的行为秘而不宣
17
play into sb’s hands
17. to do what someone you are competing with wants you to do, without realizing it 〔因做对手所希望的事〕正中对手下怀
If we respond with violence, we’ll be playing into their hands, giving them an excuse for a fight.
如果我们以暴力回应，就正中他们下怀，给了他们挑起争斗的借口。
18
play for time
18. to try to delay something so that you have more time to prepare for it or prevent it from happening 为争取时间而拖延
The rebels may be playing for time while they try to get more weapons.
叛乱分子可能在拖延时间，想搞到更多的武器。
19
play tricks (on you)
19. if your mind, memory, sight etc plays tricks on you, you feel confused and not sure about what is happening 〔思维、记忆、视力等〕使（某人）产生错觉，使混乱
It happened a long time ago, and my memory might be playing tricks on me.
那是很久以前的事了，我记不清了。
20
play the market
20. to risk money on the STOCK MARKET as a way of trying to earn more money 〔在证券市场〕买卖证券
21
play the system
21. to use the rules of a system in a clever way, to gain advantage for yourself 钻制度的空子〔使自己得益〕
Accountants know how to play the tax system.
会计师知道如何钻税收制度的空子。
22
play second fiddle (to sb)
22. to be in a lower position or rank than someone else （给某人）当第二把手 （副手 ），居次要地位
23
play hard to get
23. to pretend that you are not sexually interested in someone so that they will become more interested in you 〔对异性〕欲擒故纵〔故意装出对某人不感兴趣的样子以吸引对方〕
24
SMILE
笑容
if a smile plays about someone’s lips, they smile slightly [书面] 〔微笑〕浅浅地浮现 I always + adv/prep | written
25
play hooky play truant
25. ; play truant BrE [英] to stay away from school without permission 逃学，旷课 AmE BrE
26
play with fire
26. to do something that could have a very dangerous or harmful result 做危险的事，玩火
Dating the boss’s daughter is playing with fire.
和老板的女儿约会是在玩火。
27
LIGHT
光线
if light plays on something, it shines on it and moves on it [书面] 〔在…上〕闪烁，掠过 I always + adv/prep | written
the sunlight playing on the water
在水面闪烁的阳光
28
WATER
水
if a FOUNTAIN plays, water comes from it [书面] 〔喷泉〕喷水 I | written
29
play the field
29. to have sexual relationships with a lot of different people 乱搞男女关系，滥交
30
play fast and loose with sth
30. to not be careful about what you do, especially by not obeying the law or a rule 不负责任地利用某物〔尤指不遵守法律或法规〕
They played fast and loose with investors’ money.
他们滥用投资者的资金。
31
play a hose/light on sth
31. to point a HOSE or light towards something so that water or light goes onto it 把水龙头对着某物喷射/将光线对着某物照射
32 to have a sexual relationship with someone who is not your usual partner 〔与某人〕鬼混
[+ with ]
Wasn’t she playing around with another man?
她当时不是在和另一个男人鬼混吗？
It was years before I realized he’d been playing around.
多年以后我才察觉到他一直在拈花惹草。
33 to try doing something in different ways, to see what would be best, especially when this is fun 〔尤指因有趣而〕摆弄，把玩
[+ with ]
Play around with the ingredients if you like.
如果你喜欢，随意搭配各种原料。
34 to behave in a silly way or waste time, when you should be doing something more serious 胡闹，乱弄;
When the teacher wasn’t looking, we used to play about a lot.
老师不看着我们时，我们经常会瞎胡闹。
35 to keep moving or making changes to something in your hands 〔在手中〕摆弄，把玩;
Will you stop playing around with the remote control!
你能不能别再摆弄遥控器了！
36 to pretend to agree to do what someone wants, in order to avoid annoying them or to get an advantage 假装顺从，暂且附和
She felt she had to play along or risk losing her job.
她觉得自己必须假装顺从否则就有失业的危险。
37
play sb along
to tell someone something that is not true because you need their help in some way [英] 〔因为需要某人的帮助而〕对某人撒谎，欺骗某人 BrE
38
What is sb playing at?
used when you do not understand what someone is doing or why they are doing it, and you are surprised or annoyed [英，口] 某人在搞什么鬼？ BrE spoken
What do you think you’re playing at?
你到底在搞什么鬼？
39 if you play at doing something, you do not do it properly or seriously 不认真地干，对…敷衍了事
play at doing sth
He’s still playing at being an artist.
他对于当艺术家仍然三心二意。
40 if children play at doctors, soldiers etc, they pretend to be doctors, soldiers etc [英] 〔小孩〕假扮…玩 BrE
play at being sth
a fourteen-year-old playing at being a grown woman
假扮成年女性的十四岁少女
41 to play something that has been recorded on a machine so that you can listen to it or watch it 回放〔已录制的录音带、录像带等〕
He played back his answering machine messages.
他回放了录音电话中的留言。
42 to try to make something seem less important or less likely than it really is 使…看起来不那么重要，贬低…，对…轻描淡写
Management has been playing down the possibility of job losses.
管理层一直在淡化职位减少的可能性。
play down the importance/seriousness/significance of sth
The White House spokeswoman sought to play down the significance of the event.
白宫女发言人试图淡化那一事件的重要性。
43 if people or teams play off, they play the last game in a sports competition, in order to decide who is the winner [英] 决胜负 BrE
The top two teams will play off at Twickenham for the county title.
成绩最好的两支球队将在推肯汉姆体育场为争夺郡冠军称号一决雌雄。
44
play off sb/sth
to deliberately use a fact, action, idea etc in order to make what you are doing better or to get an advantage [美] 故意压制某人/某物 AmE
The two musicians played off each other in a piece of inspired improvisation.
两位乐师在表演一首精彩的即兴曲时争强斗胜。
45 to encourage one person or group to compete or argue with another, in order to get some advantage for yourself 〔为渔利而〕挑拨离间，使…相斗 （对立，争吵 ）
The house seller may try to play one buyer off against another, to raise the price.
房子的卖家可能会在两位买主之间挑拨，目的是为了抬高房价。
46 to use a feeling, fact, or idea in order to get what you want, often in an unfair way 利用〔别人的感情、观点等〕
The ad plays on our emotions, showing a doctor holding a newborn baby.
那则广告在利用我们的情感，画面上是一位医生抱着一个新生婴儿。
47 if an event or situation is played out or plays itself out, it happens 发生; 出现
It will be interesting to see how the election plays itself out .
观看选举如何进行会很有意思。
48 if people play out their dreams, feelings etc, they express them by pretending that a particular situation is really happening 想入非非
The weekend gives you a chance to play out your fantasies.
周末让你有机会去想入非非。
49
play sth up
↔ to emphasize something, sometimes making it seem more important than it really is 强调某事物的重要性; 夸大某事物; 大肆渲染某事物
Play up your strongest arguments in the opening paragraph.
在第一段中要突出最强有力的论据。
50
play (sb) up
if children play up, they behave badly [英，非正式] 〔孩子〕捣蛋; 使（某人）恼火，给（某人）制造麻烦 BrE informal
Jordan’s been playing up in school.
乔丹一直在学校里惹麻烦。
I hope the kids don’t play you up.
我希望孩子们不会烦到你。
51
play (sb) up
to hurt you or cause problems for you [英，非正式] 使（某人）感到痛苦; 给（某人）造成麻烦 BrE informal
My knee’s been playing me up this week.
这星期我的膝盖一直不舒服。
The car’s playing up again.
车子又出问题了。
52 to behave in a very polite or kind way to someone because you want something from them 投〔某人〕所好，逢迎，讨好，巴结
Connie always plays up to her parents when she wants money.
康妮缺钱的时候总是讨好她的父母。
53 to keep touching something or moving it 摆弄，玩弄
Stop playing with the light switch!
别再乱动电灯开关了！
54 to try doing something in different ways to decide what works best 试验〔以找出解决问题的最佳方式〕
Play with the design onscreen, moving text and pictures until you get a pleasing arrangement.
试着在屏幕上进行设计，移动文字和图片，直到排列令人满意为止。
55 to consider an idea or possibility, but not always very seriously 〔不大认真地〕考虑做某事;
After university, I played with the idea of teaching English in China.
大学毕业以后，我想过去中国教英语。
56
money/time/space etc to play with
money, time etc that is available to be used 可用的金钱/时间/空间等
The budget is very tight, so there isn’t much money to play with.
经费很紧，没有很多钱可用。
57
play with yourself
to touch your own sex organs for pleasure 手淫;
58
play with words/language
to use words in a clever or amusing way 玩文字游戏; 用字遣词机智 （幽默 ）
noun
59
THEATRE
剧院
a story that is written to be performed by actors, especially in a theatre 剧本; 戏剧 C
a play by Chekhov
一出契诃夫的戏剧
Eliot wrote plays as well as poetry.
艾略特除了写诗还写剧本。
[+ about ]
Edward Bond’s play about class war
爱德华．邦德关于阶级斗争的戏剧
put on/perform a play
The children put on a play adapted from a Russian folk tale.
孩子们演出了一场由俄罗斯民间故事改编的戏剧。
60
AMUSEMENT
娱乐
things that people, especially children, do for amusement rather than as work 〔尤指儿童的〕游戏，玩耍; 娱乐 U
Play is very important to a child’s development.
游戏对孩子的成长十分重要。
a play area
游戏区
through play
The program aims to teach road safety through play.
这个节目旨在通过游戏讲解道路安全。
at play
the happy shouts of children at play
孩子玩耍时快乐的叫嚷声
61
EFFECT
效果
the effect or influence of something 影响; 作用 U
the free play of competition in the building industry
建筑业竞争的自由调节作用
at play
There are a number of factors at play (=having an effect) in the current recession.
目前的不景气是由一些因素引发的。
bring/put sth into play (use something or make it have an effect) 使用某事物/使某事物发挥作用
A complex system of muscles is brought into play for each body movement.
每次的身体运动都需要复杂的肌肉系统活动。
Political considerations do come into play (=have an effect) when making policy.
制定政策时政治因素确实有影响。
62
ACTION IN A GAME OR SPORT
比赛或体育活动中的动作
a. the actions of the people who are playing a game or sport b. one particular action or set of actions during a game 〔比赛中的〕一个 （套 ）动作 U C
Rain stopped play after only an hour.
才进行了一小时就因雨停赛。
On the next play, Johnson ran fifteen yards for a touchdown.
接下来的一次进攻，约翰逊跑了十五码持球触地得分。
63
in play/out of play
if a ball is in play or out of play, it is inside or outside the area in which the rules of the game allow you to hit, kick, catch etc the ball 界内/界外
He kicked the ball out of play.
他把球踢出界外。
64
play on words
a use of a word that is interesting or amusing because it can be understood as having two very different meanings 双关语;
65
play of light
patterns made by light as it moves over a surface 光的闪烁
the play of light on the water
水面波光粼粼
66
make a play for sth
to make an attempt to gain something 设法得到某物
He made a play for the leadership last year.
他去年曾角逐领导权。
67
make a play for sb
to try to begin a romantic or sexual relationship with someone 想和某人恋爱 （发生性关系 ）
It’s obvious he was making a play for her.
显然他在追求她。
68
LOOSENESS
松动
if there is some play in something, it is loose and can be moved 松动 U
There’s too much play in the rope.
那根绳子太松了。