Phrasal Verb - Playing Down
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.Definition
To minimize, downplay, or dismiss the importance, severity, or impact of something, often to avoid frightening, alarming, or offending others. This can be done to be more palatable, more acceptable, or more marketable. Playing down can also imply a lack of sincerity or genuine concern.
Examples
| No. | Example |
|---|---|
| 1 | The company played down the risk of the new product, focusing on its benefits rather than its potential drawbacks. |
| 2 | The politician played down the crisis, promising that everything would be fine in the end. |
| 3 | The manager played down the employee's mistake, saying it was a minor error that wouldn't affect the project's outcome. |
| 4 | The author played down the horror elements in the novel, emphasizing its themes of love and redemption. |
| 5 | The marketing team played down the environmental impact of the new campaign, focusing on its catchy slogan instead. |
| 6 | The doctor played down the patient's symptoms, reassuring them that they were just a minor cold. |
| 7 | The store played down the sale prices, implying that the discounts were only temporary and not as significant as they seemed. |
| 8 | The media played down the protest's significance, focusing on the number of protesters rather than their message and demands. |
| 9 | The politician played down the opponent's achievement, downplaying its real status as a landmark legislative accomplishment. |
| 10 | The experts played down the danger of climate change, suggesting that the problem was being exaggerated and that adoption of sufficient action would be simple and affect ability-centric resolutions. |