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underplayto perform in a deliberately restrained or subtle way; to make something seem less important than it really is

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to perform in a deliberately restrained or subtle way; to make something seem less important than it really is

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌʌndərˈpleɪ/

Korean meaning: 의도적으로 절제되거나 미묘하게 연기하다; 실제보다 덜 중요하게 보이게 하다

Korean pronunciation: 언더**플레이**

Example Sentences

  • My grandmother always underplays her cooking skills, but she's basically a kitchen wizard.
  • He tends to underplay his emotions, making it hard to know what he's really thinking.
  • The CEO tried to underplay the company's losses, but the numbers spoke louder than words.

underplay

VERB

//ˌʌndərˈpleɪ//

to perform in a deliberately restrained or subtle way; to make something seem less important than it really is

underplay concept
💡 Concept

someone performing in a deliberately restrained way, making the dramatic content seem less intense than it could be

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌʌndərˈpleɪ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌʌndəˈpleɪ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixunder--
Rootplay

Origin

From English 'under-' meaning 'beneath' or 'less than' combined with 'play' in its theatrical sense of 'to perform.' The word emerged in the early 20th century to describe performing with deliberate restraint.

🎵Rhyme

displayreplaydelayconvey
display
replay
delay
convey

🔗Collocations

underplay one's role
underplay the importance
deliberately underplay
underplay the drama
underplay the risks
underplay one's achievements

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My grandmother always underplays her cooking skills, but she's basically a kitchen wizard.

He tends to underplay his emotions, making it hard to know what he's really thinking.

The CEO tried to underplay the company's losses, but the numbers spoke louder than words.

😄 Fun example

She's the queen of underplaying - she called winning the lottery 'a bit of good luck.'

📚Related Words

Synonyms

downplayminimizediminishunderstatebelittle

Antonyms

overplayexaggerateamplify

Related

understatementrestrainedsubtlemodest

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