play a role
Portray a character
To play a role is to have a function or influence in how something develops or operates.
The expression borrows from theater, where actors literally play roles assigned to them.
In extended use, factors, circumstances, or people can all play a role in an outcome: Genetics plays a role in your risk of heart disease.
The phrase often appears with modifiers indicating degree: play a major role, play a small role, play a key role.
- take partBecome involved in
- involveTo contain as part
- have a hand inParticipate in producing
- contributeGive to a collective
- participateTake an active role
engage · pull strings · behind the scenes · determine · protagonist · do · catalyst · function · mediator · influencer · understudy · bit part · affect · facilitator · agency · make a difference · shape · line
- acting verbspretend, perform, portray, enact, rehearse
- participationjoin in, take part, membership, attendance, voting
- theaterstage, onstage, acting, auditorium, Hamlet