play with somebody/something phrasal verb (see also play)

1. to keep touching something or moving it:
Stop playing with the light switch!

2. to try doing something in different ways to decide what works best:
Play with the design onscreen, moving text and pictures until you get a pleasing arrangement.

3. to consider an idea or possibility, but not always very seriously Synonym : toy with:
After university, I played with the idea of teaching English in China.

4. money/time/space etc to play with money, time etc that is available to be used:
The budget is very tight, so there isn’t much money to play with.

5. play with yourself to touch your own sex organs for pleasure Synonym : masturbate

6. play with words/language to use words in a clever or amusing way

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play with
play with (something)
to use something in a way that is not serious or careful.
She's playing with a dangerous drug.

The budget is just playing with numbers and doesn't make sense.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play with something
play with (something)
to use something in a way that is not serious or careful.
She's playing with a dangerous drug.

The budget is just playing with numbers and doesn't make sense.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲