ALL meanings of play into the hands of
play in·to the hand of
P p - verb without object play into the hands of Informal. to be accepted or effective; fare: How will the senator's proposal play with the public? 1
- verb without object play into the hands of to move freely within a space, as a part of a mechanism. 1
- verb without object play into the hands of to move about lightly or quickly: The water of the fountain played in the air. 1
- verb without object play into the hands of to present the effect of such motion, as light or the changing colors of an iridescent substance: The lights played strangely over the faces of the actors. 1
- verb without object play into the hands of to operate continuously or with repeated action. 1
- verb without object play into the hands of Informal. to comply or cooperate: They wanted her to tell them what she knew about the plans, but she refused to play. 1
- idioms play into the hands of bring into play, to put into motion; cause to be introduced: New evidence has been brought into play in this trial. 1
- idioms play into the hands of come to play, Informal. to be disposed to play or participate in a manner reflecting a determination to win or succeed: We're a small new business, but we came to play. 1
- idioms play into the hands of in / out of play, in or not in the state of being played during a game: The umpire says the ball was not in play. 1
- idioms play into the hands of make a play for, Informal. to try to attract, especially sexually: He made a play for his friend's girlfriend. to attempt to gain by impressing favorably: This ad will make a play for new consumer markets. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play ball. ball1 (def 25). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play both ends against the middle, to maneuver opposing groups in order to benefit oneself. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play by ear, to play (music or a musical instrument) without printed music, as by memory of what one has heard or by unschooled musical instinct. 1
- idioms play into the hands of played out, exhausted; weary. out of fashion; hackneyed: New styles in clothing are soon played out in New York. used up; finished: The original tires were played out and had to be replaced. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play fast and loose, to act in an irresponsible or inconsiderate manner, especially to employ deception to gain one's ends: to play fast and loose with someone's affections. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play for time, to prolong something in order to gain an advantage; forestall an event or decision: Their maneuvering at the conference was obviously calculated to play for time. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play hardball. hardball (def 4). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play into the hands of, to act in such a way as to give an advantage to (someone, especially an opponent): If you lose your temper when he insults you, you will be playing right into his hands. Also, play into (someone's) hands. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play it by ear, to improvise, especially in a challenging situation when confronted by unknown factors: If you can't come up with a plan, we'll just have to play it by ear. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play it safe, to act cautiously; avoid risk or danger: She usually plays it safe on the red carpet, wearing simple, classic designs. Also, play safe. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play one's cards. card1 (def 22). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play politics. politics (def 8). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play possum. possum (def 3). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play second fiddle. second fiddle (def 1). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play the field. field (def 39). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play the game. game1 (def 27). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play up to, Informal. to attempt to impress in order to gain someone's favor: Students who too obviously play up to their teachers are usually disliked by their classmates. 1
- idioms play into the hands of play with a full deck. deck (def 23). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play with fire. fire (def 54). 1
- idioms play into the hands of play with oneself, Informal. to masturbate. 1
- noun play into the hands of a dramatic composition or piece; drama. 1
- noun play into the hands of a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 1
- noun play into the hands of exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. 1
- noun play into the hands of fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. 1
- noun play into the hands of a pun. 1
- noun play into the hands of the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. 1
- noun play into the hands of the manner or style of playing or of doing something: We admired his fine play throughout the game. 1
- noun play into the hands of an act or instance of playing or of doing something: a stupid play that cost us the match. 1
- noun play into the hands of one's turn to play: Whose play is it? 1
- noun play into the hands of a playing for stakes; gambling. 1
- noun play into the hands of an attempt to accomplish something, often in a manner showing craft or calculation; maneuver: They tried to buy up the stock in a takeover play. 1
- noun play into the hands of an enterprise or venture; deal: an oil and drilling play. 1
- noun play into the hands of action, conduct, or dealing of a specified kind: fair play; foul play. 1
- noun play into the hands of action, activity, or operation: the play of fancy. 1
- noun play into the hands of brisk, light, or changing movement or action: a fountain with a leaping play of water. 1
- noun play into the hands of elusive change or movement, as of light or colors: the play of a searchlight against the night sky. 1
- noun play into the hands of a space in which something, as a part of a mechanism, can move. 1
- noun play into the hands of freedom of movement within a space, as of a part of a mechanism. 1
- noun play into the hands of freedom for action, or scope for activity: full play of the mind. 1
- noun play into the hands of attention in the press or other media; coverage; dissemination as news: The birth of the panda got a big play in the papers. 1