play it straight
The phrase "play it straight" emphasizes honesty, sincerity, and a lack of exaggeration, whether in behavior or performance.
Definition
B2General
(informal)To act honestly and openly, without deception or trickery.
Example
- If you play it straight, people will trust you more.
C1Performing Arts
(technical)To perform a role in a serious manner, without comedy or exaggeration.
Example
- The actor decided to play it straight, giving a heartfelt and sincere performance.
C1Ethics
(informal)To avoid illegal or unethical activities, choosing to act legitimately.
Example
- After his release from prison, he promised to play it straight from now on.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "play it straight":
straight batstraight manstraight goodsstraight arrowstraight laceplay alongsuper straightplay tostraight upplay with a full deckplay the man and not the ballplay it for all it's worthstraight as an arrowplay onplay to winwalk a straight linestraight shooterkeep it realplay atplay instraight outplay the anglesplay the ball and not the manmake a playstraight dinkumplay hardballon the levelplay the fieldplay ball