play down
[verb]
Synonyms: minimize, gloss over, make light of, make little of, soft-pedal (informal), underplay, underrate

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Antonyms: play (up)
Related Words: restrain, mute, soften

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

play something ↔ down phrasal verb (see also play)
to try to make something seem less important or less likely than it really is:
Management has been playing down the possibility of job losses.
play down the importance/seriousness/significance of something
The White House spokeswoman sought to play down the significance of the event.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play down
play down (something)
to try to make something seem less serious than it really is.
He played down the seriousness of his condition because he didn't want anyone to worry.

It's a sensitive issue, and they want to play it down until after the elections.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play down something
play down (something)
to try to make something seem less serious than it really is.
He played down the seriousness of his condition because he didn't want anyone to worry.

It's a sensitive issue, and they want to play it down until after the elections.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play down
• play down (someone or something)
to give less emphasis to someone or something, to make someone or something seem less important
The politician played down the survey that showed that he was becoming less popular.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play down something
• play down (someone or something)
to give less emphasis to someone or something, to make someone or something seem less important
The politician played down the survey that showed that he was becoming less popular.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play down
v. To give less emphasis to; make (something) seem less important; divert attention from; draw notice away from.
The newspaper stories played down the actor's unattractive past.
A salesman's job is to emphasize the good points of his merchandise; he must play down any faults it has.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play down someone
• play down (someone or something)
to give less emphasis to someone or something, to make someone or something seem less important
The politician played down the survey that showed that he was becoming less popular.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲