| 释义 |
phraseplay on/upon
! Play upon is more formal than play on and is mostly used in writing1. play on/upon sth to deliberately use a fact, idea, or emotion in order to do or get what you want, often in an unfair way: Advertising achieves its aim by playing on our weaknesses and emotions. The party's campaign played on the fear amongst white voters at the pace of de Klerk's reforms.■ SIMILAR TO: exploit, play off AmE2. play on sth especially AmE to use your position, influence, or strong qualities in order to do or get what you want, often in an unfair way: Some people said that she had played on her connections in order to get the job.3. play on sb's mind if something plays on your mind, you cannot stop thinking about it, and it worries or upsets you: "It wasn't your fault," Martha said. "You mustn't let it play on your mind."4. play on sth literary if light plays on a surface or an object, it falls on it and moves backwards and forwards across it: Daniel watched the sunlight playing on the roofs of the fishing village.
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