Play Off (Verb)
Meaning
Set into opposition or rivalry; "let them match their best athletes against ours"; "pit a chess player against the Russian champion"; "He plays his two children off against each other".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Examples
- She manipulated her two brothers by playing them off against each other to get her way.
- The producers often pit contestants against one another to create tension on the reality show.
- The boss played his employees off against each other, forcing them to compete for the only available promotion.
- He played off her strengths and weaknesses when opposing her argument in the debate.
- The mother inadvertently plays her children off against each other when she compares their academic achievements.