if children play at something, they pretend to be someone else or to be involved in a particular type of situation
to do something without being very serious about it
used when you think that someone is behaving in a stupid or dishonest way
A child playing at shopping, for example, will display early maths skills.
I think she’s just playing at running a business.
Students are always asking if they should switch to heavier putters when they go play at a club with faster greens.
What does he think he’s playing at, making the children lie for him?
plays at
playing at
played at
There is no origin for this phrasal verb
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