plays off
Uses to advantage
Plays off means to set one thing against another for advantage or effect.
You might play competitors off each other to get a better price, or a comedian plays off the audience's reactions.
In sports, a playoff (noun) determines advancement when teams are tied.
The phrase also describes exploiting something: The sequel plays off nostalgia for the original.
- bantersExchanges playful teasing
- call and responseAlternating vocal pattern
- leveragesDeploys for maximum effect
- juxtaposesPlaces close for contrast
- outmaneuversDefeats through superior tactics
counters · exploits · improvises · parodies · riffs · reacts · straight man · sets up · offsets · subverts · mirrors · contrasts · good cop bad cop · manipulates · complements · engages · competes · rivals
plays offignores
Refuses to acknowledge
disregards · overlooks · originates · rises above · transcends
plays offunites
Joins into one
reconciles · harmonizes · mediates · bridges · aligns
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