play at
The phrase "play at" is commonly used to describe actions done without full seriousness or to pretend to be something.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To engage in an activity or role without full seriousness or commitment.
Example
- He's just playing at being a chef; he doesn't actually know how to cook.
B1General
(informal)To pretend to be someone or something, often as part of a game.
Example
- The children were playing at being superheroes.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "play at":
play toplay inplay onplay withat playplay aboutmake a playplay to winplay outin playplay ballplay aroundplay alongword playsex playact outplay it straightplay houseplay partyplay it for all it's worthhave atpower playplay upplayed outplay offplay pendulumplay the fieldaudio playpay to play