underplay — to 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/
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
someone performing in a deliberately restrained way, making the dramatic content seem less intense than it could be
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
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.
Breakdown
under- (beneath, less than) + play (to perform, act)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“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.”
“She's the queen of underplaying - she called winning the lottery 'a bit of good luck.'”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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