play the system
Exploit the loopholes
To play the system is to exploit rules, loopholes, or procedures for personal advantage while technically staying within bounds.
The phrase implies cleverness rather than outright cheating—working the angles that exist rather than breaking them: She played the system to get disability benefits she didn't really need.
Often carries a note of cynicism about institutions being gameable.
- loopholeExploitable gap in rules
- legal loopholeExploitable gap in law
- trickDeliberate deception
- slipMinor error or misstep
- dodgeAvoid by quick movement
bend the rules · moral ambiguity · under the table · gaming · institution · workaround · smirk · skirting · grey area · exploitation · calculation · circumventing · fine print · maneuvering · pull strings · cutting corners · subverting · wink
play the systemfollow the rules
play by the rules · color inside the lines · toe the line · comply · play fair
play, system, plays, played, playing, player, players, playful, playfully