play tricks

English

play tricks (third-person singular simple present plays tricks, present participle playing tricks, simple past and past participle played tricks)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play,‎ tricks.
The neighbour's children keep playing tricks on each other.
Of one's eyes, mind, etc.: to deceive or mislead one.
Is that man naked, or are my eyes playing tricks on me?
- 1994, Green Day (lyrics and music), “Basket Case”, in Dookie:
  Sometimes I give myself the creeps / Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me

literally: to play tricks

figuratively: to deceive