Underplay
verb
To make something seem less important or less serious than it really is.
They are accused of underplaying their tax liabilities.
Often appears as...
- underplay the importance
- underplay the role
verb
In drama or music, to perform in a less dramatic way than would be expected.
He underplayed the character's anger in the scene.
Often appears as...
- underplay the emotion
- underplay the reaction
Usage tips
Dramatic
verb
To make something seem less important or less serious than it really is.
They are accused of underplaying their tax liabilities.
Often appears as...
- underplay the importance
- underplay the role
verb
In drama or music, to perform in a less dramatic way than would be expected.
He underplayed the character's anger in the scene.
Often appears as...
- underplay the emotion
- underplay the reaction
Usage tips
Dramatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Downplaying
Underplay subtly suggests something is smaller or less significant without directly stating it.
The company underplayed the incident as a minor setback.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Deceptive
Underplaying isn't lying; it's presenting facts in a way that won't alarm others.
Management underplayed the seriousness of the delays to keep team morale high.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Use
Underplay can be strategic in negotiations or discussions by not revealing full importance.
He underplayed his hand, waiting for the right moment to reveal his demand.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Downplaying
Underplay subtly suggests something is smaller or less significant without directly stating it.
The company underplayed the incident as a minor setback.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Deceptive
Underplaying isn't lying; it's presenting facts in a way that won't alarm others.
Management underplayed the seriousness of the delays to keep team morale high.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Use
Underplay can be strategic in negotiations or discussions by not revealing full importance.
He underplayed his hand, waiting for the right moment to reveal his demand.
Pro Tip 1/3Subtle Downplaying
Underplay subtly suggests something is smaller or less significant without directly stating it.
The company underplayed the incident as a minor setback.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Deceptive
Underplaying isn't lying; it's presenting facts in a way that won't alarm others.
Management underplayed the seriousness of the delays to keep team morale high.
Pro Tip 3/3Strategic Use
Underplay can be strategic in negotiations or discussions by not revealing full importance.
He underplayed his hand, waiting for the right moment to reveal his demand.
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Quote examples
James Wolcott
American Critic
If you were to hold me down and tickle me to pick my favorite 'plus-comic,' it would have to be Kevin James, a broad physical pratfaller capable of deadpan underplay, a technique honed from years of reaction-shot close-ups on TV, where every teeny fraction of a squint registers.
Quote examples
Halsey
American Musician
I cultivated this fan base that I really didn't really understand or appreciate until I put my first headlining tour up for sale. 500- to 1,000-capacity rooms weren't an underplay for me at the time. I'd never done a tour before!
Quote examples
Ed O'Neill
American Actor
I prefer to underplay scenes rather than, you know, be big and drive them. And sometimes you have to do that, but I like the more natural styles.
Quote examples
Ben Hardy
English Actor
If you express yourself too much. you're overacting; if you underplay it too much, it can come across as wooden.
Quote examples
Vijay Sethupathi
Indian Actor
I don't overact, so people think that I naturally act well. I underplay my roles, and that has worked for me.
Quote examples
Namrata Shirodkar
Indian Actress
It's easy to be loud, outspoken, and play to the gallery. It's difficult to underplay one's self.
Quote examples
Nasser Hussain
British Athlete
People shouldn't underplay what the breaking up of a team does in every department.
Quote examples
James Wolcott
American Critic
If you were to hold me down and tickle me to pick my favorite 'plus-comic,' it would have to be Kevin James, a broad physical pratfaller capable of deadpan underplay, a technique honed from years of reaction-shot close-ups on TV, where every teeny fraction of a squint registers.
Quote examples
Halsey
American Musician
I cultivated this fan base that I really didn't really understand or appreciate until I put my first headlining tour up for sale. 500- to 1,000-capacity rooms weren't an underplay for me at the time. I'd never done a tour before!
Quote examples
Ed O'Neill
American Actor
I prefer to underplay scenes rather than, you know, be big and drive them. And sometimes you have to do that, but I like the more natural styles.
Quote examples
Ben Hardy
English Actor
If you express yourself too much. you're overacting; if you underplay it too much, it can come across as wooden.
Quote examples
Vijay Sethupathi
Indian Actor
I don't overact, so people think that I naturally act well. I underplay my roles, and that has worked for me.
Quote examples
Namrata Shirodkar
Indian Actress
It's easy to be loud, outspoken, and play to the gallery. It's difficult to underplay one's self.
Quote examples
Nasser Hussain
British Athlete
People shouldn't underplay what the breaking up of a team does in every department.
Example 1 of 7
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