play the angles
The phrase "play the angles" can be used in both everyday language and sports contexts to describe strategic maneuvering.
Definition
C1General
(idiomatic, informal)To use clever or devious methods to achieve a desired outcome, often by exploiting opportunities or manipulating situations.
Example
- He always knows how to play the angles to get what he wants in negotiations.
B2Sports
(technical)In games involving a moving object, to position oneself strategically to maximize chances of success, either by defending or attacking.
Example
- The goalie played the angles perfectly to block the shot.
- She played the angles to find the best scoring opportunity.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "play the angles":
make a playplay the fieldangle shotangle shootingplay the man and not the ballangle forplay to winswing for the fencesplay hardballplay it for all it's worthplay the ball and not the manplay it straightplay ballplay fast and looseangle quotehedge one's betscut cornersplay around