playing coy
Acting falsely modest
Playing coy is pretending to be reluctant, modest, or unknowing—often to seem more desirable or to avoid committing to something.
Someone plays coy about their intentions when they deliberately withhold information: She's playing coy about whether she'll accept the job offer.
The phrase often implies flirtation or strategic evasiveness rather than genuine shyness.
- flirtatiousPlayfully romantic in manner
- teasingPlayful, mild ridicule
- coquettishPlayfully alluring in manner
- come hitherFlirtatiously inviting approach
- demureModestly reserved in manner
evasive · hard to get · bashful · false modesty · aloof · wink · blush · glance · sidelong · stolen glances · looking away · sly · hesitant · elusive · mysterious · batting eyelashes · batting · eyelashes
- flirtingpickup line, wink, winking, hair flip, chat-up line
- showboatingshowing off, bragging, boasting, grandstanding, posturing
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
playing coytelling it like it is
Speaking plain, unfiltered truth
cutting to the chase · getting to the point · speaking frankly · speaking one's mind
playing coywearing one's heart on one's sleeve
Displaying emotions openly
play, coy, plays, played, player, players, playing, playful, playfully