play somebody off against somebody phrasal verb (see also play)
to encourage one person or group to compete or argue with another, in order to get some advantage for yourself:
The house seller may try to play one buyer off against another, to raise the price.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play off against
to scheme in a manner that pits two of your opponents against each other
Our supervisor is always trying to play one group of employees off against another group.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play someone off against
to scheme in a manner that pits two of your opponents against each other
Our supervisor is always trying to play one group of employees off against another group.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play off against someone
to scheme in a manner that pits two of your opponents against each other
Our supervisor is always trying to play one group of employees off against another group.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play someone off against someone
to scheme in a manner that pits two of your opponents against each other
Our supervisor is always trying to play one group of employees off against another group.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲