play up

• Verbo compuesto que se usa para indicar que se resalta o enfatiza algo, o (en inglés británico) que algo causa problemas o no funciona correctamente.

A phrasal verb used to indicate emphasizing something, or (in British English) causing trouble or not functioning properly.

incontable · transitivo e intransitivo · phrasal, separable

1. Exaggerate or emphasizeinformalbritish

   To make something seem more important or serious than it really is.

   exagerar o enfatizar

   • He played up his role in the project to impress the boss.
   • The media played up the minor incident as a major crisis.
   • She always plays up her achievements when talking to strangers.

   Sinónimosaccentuateamplifyemphasizeexaggeratehighlightmagnifyoverdooveremphasizeoverstatestress

   Antónimosdownplayminimizeunderstate

2. Cause trouble or malfunctioninformalbritish

   To behave badly or cause problems, often used for machines or children.

   fallar o portarse mal

   • The car's engine started playing up again this morning.
   • The children were playing up during the entire trip.
   • My computer is playing up and keeps crashing.

   Sinónimosact upbreak downfailfaltergo wrongmalfunctionmisbehave

   Antónimosbehavework

Verbo baseplay