Play it straight
verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 To behave in a manner that is straightforward, honest, or sincere. idiomatic
""The position you'd put me in would be this—of playing a game—and a jolly important game at that—in which the loser loses to me on purpose. . . . If we're going to play a game," he continued, addressing Davenant, before the latter had time to speak, "for Heaven's sake let us play it straight—like men. Let the winner win and the loser lose—""
- 2 To perform a role in a manner that is not comedic or exaggerated. idiomatic
"And how can you not admire a man who could star in a stinker like Battlestar Galactica—and play it straight?"
- 3 To avoid criminal behavior. idiomatic
""But the best thing about him is that he always played it straight with us—never double‐dealed, giving us two and keeping one for himself.""
Antonyms
All antonymsExample
More examples""The position you'd put me in would be this—of playing a game—and a jolly important game at that—in which the loser loses to me on purpose. . . . If we're going to play a game," he continued, addressing Davenant, before the latter had time to speak, "for Heaven's sake let us play it straight—like men. Let the winner win and the loser lose—""