play off
[verb]
Synonyms: oppose, counter, match, pit, vie

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

play off phrasal verb (see also play)

1. British English if people or teams play off, they play the last game in a sports competition, in order to decide who is the winner:
The top two teams will play off at Twickenham for the county title.

2. play off somebody/something American English to deliberately use a fact, action, idea etc in order to make what you are doing better or to get an advantage:
The two musicians played off each other in a piece of inspired improvisation.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

ˈplay-off noun [countable]

1. British English a game played to decide who will win after a previous game has ended with two teams or players having equal points

2. [usually plural] American English a game, usually one of a series of games, played by the best teams or players in a competition in order to decide the final winner:
The Lakers will meet the Bulls in the playoffs.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play off
1. • play off
to settle a score between two teams or contestants by playing another game/match
Our team had to play off against the other team before we went to the championship.

2. • play off (one group against another)
to match opposing persons/forces/interests for one's own gain
Nobody likes the supervisor because he is always trying to play off one group of workers against another.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play off
v.
1. To match opposing persons, forces, or interests so that they balance each other.
The girl played off her admirers against each other.
Britain tried to play off European nations against each other so that she would have a balance of power.
2. To finish the playing of (an interrupted contest.)
The visitors came back the next Saturday to play off the game stopped by rain.
3. To settle (a tie score) between contestants by more play. When each player had won two matches, the championship was decided by playing off the tie.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲