in play
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English[edit]
Prepositional phrase[edit]
- As a joke. [from 14th c.]
- You mustn't take what I said so seriously, it was only said in play.
- In operation, active, currently valid. [from 17th c.]
- It's hard to tell which physical forces are in play at this altitude.
- This deadly scenario with this hurricane is still in play, so please take precaution.
- (sports) Available to be played according to the rules of the game in question; within the boundaries of the pitch etc. [from 18th c.]
- The ball is in play for an average of just seven minutes out of a sixty-minute game.
- (politics) Capable of being won by more than one party or candidate.
- Though the state has not changed hands in 20 years, the latest polls suggest it may now be in play.
- (business) Open to a takeover bid. [from 20th c.]
- Despite the best efforts of the executive committee, it seems the company is now in play.
References[edit]
- “in play”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.