play-by-play — A detailed commentary describing each event as it happens during a sports game or other live event
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A detailed commentary describing each event as it happens during a sports game or other live event
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈpleɪ baɪ pleɪ/
Example Sentences
- My mom demanded a play-by-play of my disastrous first date, including why I came home with my shirt inside out.
- The sports commentator's play-by-play made even a boring baseball game sound exciting.
- He gave us a hilarious play-by-play of how he accidentally walked into the wrong wedding ceremony.
play-by-play
NOUN[/ˈpleɪ baɪ pleɪ/]
A detailed commentary describing each event as it happens during a sports game or other live event
A detailed commentary describing each event as it happens during a sports game or other live event
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
This phrase emerged from sports broadcasting, specifically radio sports commentary in the 1930s. It derives from the literal meaning 'play by play'—describing each individual action or movement in a game sequentially. The expression became widely adopted as radio sports coverage gained popularity during this era.
Breakdown
play (a single action or movement in a game) + by (indicating repetition or succession) + play (action) = describing each successive action in sequence
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My mom demanded a play-by-play of my disastrous first date, including why I came home with my shirt inside out.”
“The sports commentator's play-by-play made even a boring baseball game sound exciting.”
“He gave us a hilarious play-by-play of how he accidentally walked into the wrong wedding ceremony.”
“The news anchor provided a play-by-play analysis of the election results as they came in.”
📚Related Words
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