Call something into play
verb phrase
To create a situation where specific things or factors are relevant or necessary.
The sudden rain will call their emergency plan into play.
Often appears as...
- call strategy into play
- call skills into play
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To utilize or make use of something.
He had to call his negotiation skills into play during the meeting.
Often appears as...
- call talents into play
- call abilities into play
verb phrase
To activate or apply a rule, law or policy.
With the increased crime rate, the mayor had to call strict laws into play.
Often appears as...
- call law into play
- call policy into play
Usage tips
Formal
Academic, Technical
verb phrase
To create a situation where specific things or factors are relevant or necessary.
The sudden rain will call their emergency plan into play.
Often appears as...
- call strategy into play
- call skills into play
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To utilize or make use of something.
He had to call his negotiation skills into play during the meeting.
Often appears as...
- call talents into play
- call abilities into play
verb phrase
To activate or apply a rule, law or policy.
With the increased crime rate, the mayor had to call strict laws into play.
Often appears as...
- call law into play
- call policy into play
Usage tips
Formal
Academic, Technical
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Situations
Used when unforeseen events make certain actions or plans necessary.
The power outage will call our backup generators into play.
Pro Tip 2/3Relevance Emphasis
Highlights the sudden importance or need for something that wasn't used before.
The muddy terrain called their four-wheel-drive capabilities into play.
Pro Tip 3/3Specific Trigger
Often follows an event or condition that triggers the action.
The chef's absence called my cooking skills into play.
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Situations
Used when unforeseen events make certain actions or plans necessary.
The power outage will call our backup generators into play.
Pro Tip 2/3Relevance Emphasis
Highlights the sudden importance or need for something that wasn't used before.
The muddy terrain called their four-wheel-drive capabilities into play.
Pro Tip 3/3Specific Trigger
Often follows an event or condition that triggers the action.
The chef's absence called my cooking skills into play.
Pro Tip 1/3Unexpected Situations
Used when unforeseen events make certain actions or plans necessary.
The power outage will call our backup generators into play.
Pro Tip 2/3Relevance Emphasis
Highlights the sudden importance or need for something that wasn't used before.
The muddy terrain called their four-wheel-drive capabilities into play.
Pro Tip 3/3Specific Trigger
Often follows an event or condition that triggers the action.
The chef's absence called my cooking skills into play.
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