playing games
Engaged in recreation
Playing games has two distinct meanings.
The literal sense refers to engaging in games for entertainment or competition: The kids are playing games in the backyard.
The figurative sense, often used critically, describes behaving deceptively or manipulatively rather than being straightforward: Stop playing games and tell me what you really want.
Someone accused of playing games is being evasive, insincere, or toying with others' emotions or expectations.
- arcade gamesQuarter-fed video amusements
- board gamesStructured tabletop play
- chessStrategic board game
- cooperative gamesGames with shared victory
- party gamesStructured group entertainment activities
gamification · esports · puzzles · mind games · head games · bluffing · outdoor games · strategy games · laughter · fun and games · tournaments · power plays · sore loser · trash talking · hidden agendas · shared experiences · leaderboards · winning streak
- datingmatch, profile, swipe left, hookup, breakup
- red flagsred flags, warning signs, warning, caution, alarm
- vacationsholiday, family vacation, beach vacation, road trip, beach holiday
- partyingparty animal, socializing, bachelor party, mingling, bachelorette
- idle timekilling time, passing time, wasting time, whiling away, doing nothing
- relationship problemsaffair, disloyalty, adultery, unfaithfulness, cheating
playing gamesbeing honest
Stating facts sincerely
meaning business · laying cards on the table · getting to the point · cutting to the chase · telling the truth
playing gamesgetting down to business
Focusing on the task
meaning business · buckling down · knuckling down · applying oneself
play, game, player, playful, playing, played, playmate, players, playfully