grandstand play
"Grandstand play" originates from sports, where it describes actions done to impress spectators rather than for strategic purposes.
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Definition
B2Sports
(idiomatic, informal)A showy action during a game intended to impress the audience rather than to achieve a strategic goal.
Example
- His grandstand play during the match drew loud cheers from the crowd, even though it didn't help his team win.
B2General
(idiomatic, informal)An overly dramatic action meant to attract attention or gain approval from others.
Example
- The politician's speech was nothing but a grandstand play to win votes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "grandstand play":
spectator sportmake a playcenter stageplay the man and not the ballpolitical footballdouble playtrick playplay about