play it straight

The phrase "play it straight" emphasizes honesty, sincerity, and a lack of exaggeration, whether in behavior or performance.

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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