play on
Exploit or continue
Play on means to continue playing, especially in sports when an official allows action to proceed despite a potential foul: The referee signaled play on.
It also means to exploit or manipulate something for advantage: The advertisement plays on parents' fears.
A play on words is a pun—exploiting multiple meanings or similar sounds for effect.
- double entendrePhrase with hidden lewdness
- manipulateControl through clever influence
- punWordplay using double meanings
- exploitNotable act or abuse
- take advantage ofUse for one's benefit
abuse · string along · mess with · harp · capitalize · keep going · allusion · put to use · perseverance · double meaning · metaphor · game · milk · continue · benefit · resilience · extract · fiddle