power play
Calculated authority grab
A power play is a strategic maneuver to gain advantage through force, influence, or manipulation rather than cooperation: The merger was a power play by the CEO to consolidate control.
In hockey, a power play is when one team has more players on the ice because opponents are in the penalty box—an advantageous position that extends the metaphor to any situation where one side holds temporary numerical or structural advantage.
Punishment for wrongdoing
- shorthandedLacking sufficient staff
- man advantageNumerical superiority in hockey
- puckHockey's rubber projectile
- slapshotForceful hockey strike
goaltender · faceoff · blue line · special teams · penalty box · winger · defenseman · overtime
Superior influence over others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- schemingCrafty and calculating
maneuvering · exploitation · strongarm · bullying · pressure · control · machination · gambit
Position of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
- preeminenceSuperior status above others
strategic move · positioning · gain · head start · vantage · opportunity · advancement · dominion
penalty
Punishment for wrongdoing
- shorthandedLacking sufficient staff
- man advantageNumerical superiority in hockey
- puckHockey's rubber projectile
slapshot · goaltender · faceoff · blue line · special teams · penalty box · winger · defenseman · overtime · shootout
dominance
Superior influence over others
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
scheming · maneuvering · exploitation · strongarm · bullying · pressure · control · machination · gambit · ploy
upper hand
Position of control
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- ascendancyDominant power or influence
- superiorityHigher rank or quality
preeminence · strategic move · positioning · gain · head start · vantage · opportunity · advancement · dominion · influence
- game strategiesoffense, defense, counterattack, formation, positioning
- hockeypuck, hockey, ice hockey, pucks, field hockey
- sports termssoccer, football, basketball, tennis, golf
- strategystrategy, grand strategy, tactics, tactic, tactical
- dominancedominance, dominant, supremacy, superiority, ascendancy
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
power playcompromise
Agreement through mutual sacrifice
collaboration · consensus-building · mutual agreement · give-and-take · diplomatic solution
power playdeference
Yielding to another's judgment
submission · yielding · accommodation · humility · vulnerability
power playcapitulation
Complete yielding to demands
surrender · backing down · concession · appeasement · olive branch
play, power, player, powerful, playful, empower, powerless, powers, players