play out
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle out
Meanings
Develop or unfold over time
Why “out”? Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
“Let's see how it plays out.”
“The argument played out over several weeks.”
Don't confuse with
Play out means develop over time. Play up means cause trouble by not working well.
Test yourself
“Let's see how it plays out.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
play up
A contrast learners often mix up
Cause problems by misbehaving or malfunctioning; Act in a way that pleases someone or a group
bear out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Provide evidence that confirms what someone has said
break out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
(of war, fire or disease) Start suddenly; Escape from a locked or guarded place
bring out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Make a quality or feature more obvious; Publish or launch a new product; Cause a particular response or behaviour in someone; Take something out of a container or place to show it; Encourage a shy person to be more confident
call out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Shout something loudly or summon services
check out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Leave a hotel after paying; Look at or examine
come out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Be revealed publicly
dig out
Same out pattern: becoming clear
Find something by searching through other things
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