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play the game. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
play the game, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
play the game in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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English
Verb
play the game (third-person singular simple present plays the game, present participle playing the game, simple past and past participle played the game)
- To behave fairly; to abide by the rules.
- Synonym: play by the rules
1892, Henry Newbolt, Vitaï Lampada:And it's not for the sake of a ribboned coat, / Or the selfish hope of a season's fame, / But his captain's hand on his shoulder smote / "Play up! play up! and play the game!"
1979 December 1, Ron Vachon, quoting Bernice Goodman, “Homosexuality: Changing Clinical Perspectives”, in Gay Community News, volume 7, number 19, page 3:Myth #5— Acceptance and participation in the mainstream of society is automatically desirable. In order to be accepted you may have to compromise important personal values because average middle-American values are most important. You have to "play the game".
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