PLAY OUT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does play out mean? 

• PLAY OUT (verb)
  The verb PLAY OUT has 4 senses:

1. deplete

2. perform or be performed to the end

3. play to a finish

4. become spent or exhausted

  Familiarity information: PLAY OUT used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PLAY OUT (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Deplete

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

exhaust; play out; run down; sap; tire

Context example:

We quickly played out our strength

Hypernyms (to "play out" is one way to...):

consume; deplete; eat; eat up; exhaust; run through; use up; wipe out (use up (resources or materials))

Verb group:

play out (become spent or exhausted)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 2

Meaning:

Perform or be performed to the end

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Context example:

How will the election drama be played out?

Hypernyms (to "play out" is one way to...):

perform (give a performance (of something))

Verb group:

play out (play to a finish)

Sentence frames:

Something ----s
Somebody ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Play to a finish

Classified under:

Verbs of fighting, athletic activities

Context example:

We have got to play this game out, even thought it is clear that we have last

Hypernyms (to "play out" is one way to...):

play (participate in games or sport)

Verb group:

play out (perform or be performed to the end)

Domain category:

game (a contest with rules to determine a winner)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Sense 4

Meaning:

Become spent or exhausted

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

The champion's strength played out fast

Hypernyms (to "play out" is one way to...):

change (undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature)

Verb group:

exhaust; play out; run down; sap; tire (deplete)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s

 Context examples 

There are many ways this could play out.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

"That scenario is probably not going to play out."

(Antarctic ice cliffs may not contribute to ice-sheet instability as much as predicted, National Science Foundation)

Researchers used a mathematical population genetic model to show how scenarios could play out to species' advantage.

(For species that mate for life, bonding behaviors provide advantages, National Science Foundation)

Surprisingly, the researchers found that when an animal observed its partner, the observer’s amygdala neurons seemed to play out a decision computation.

(‘Mindreading’ neurons simulate decisions of social partners, University of Cambridge)

In another moment she suppressed this emotion; and said with an aspect more triumphant than dejected: We must meet reverses boldly, and not suffer them to frighten us, my dear. We must learn to act the play out. We must live misfortune down, Trot!

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)