underplaying
Toning it down
Underplaying is deliberately restraining or downplaying something for effect.
An actor underplaying a scene relies on subtlety rather than dramatic gestures.
Someone underplaying their accomplishments presents them modestly: She's underplaying how much work she put into this.
In card games, underplaying means holding back a strong card strategically.
Diminish perceived importance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- de-emphasizeMinimize perceived significance
- trivializeMake light of
- diminishTo make smaller
understate · belittle · underestimate · undervalue · discount · overlook · disregard · brush off
Deliberately minimized in expression
- nuancedHaving fine distinctions
- low-keyRestrained and understated
- subtleNot immediately obvious
- indirectNot straight or immediate
discreet · unobtrusive · quiet · muted · gentle · soft · delicate · restrained
Keeping something secret
- maskingConcealing by covering
- hidingStaying out of sight
- feigningPretending to feel something
- dissemblingConcealing true motives
sandbagging · bluffing · hustle · false modesty · rope-a-dope · lulling · misdirection · cagey
Avoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- holding backPreventing forward movement
- reserveSupply kept back
measured · composure · forbearance · containment · subduing · toning down · reining in · muting
downplay
Diminish perceived importance
- soft-pedalDiminish stated significance
- de-emphasizeMinimize perceived significance
- trivializeMake light of
diminish · understate · belittle · underestimate · undervalue · discount · overlook · disregard · brush off · gloss over
understated
Deliberately minimized in expression
indirect · discreet · unobtrusive · quiet · muted · gentle · soft · delicate · restrained · modest
concealing
Keeping something secret
dissembling · sandbagging · bluffing · hustle · false modesty · rope-a-dope · lulling · misdirection · cagey · sly
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- self-controlAbility to restrain impulses
- temperanceHabitual moderation in behavior
- holding backPreventing forward movement
reserve · measured · composure · forbearance · containment · subduing · toning down · reining in · muting · dampening
- downplayingminimizing, downplay, trivializing, belittling, soft-pedal
- avoiding tacticsdodging, evading, sidestepping, skirting, deflecting
- stage mishapsmissed cue, line flub, tripping, stumble, trip
underplayingoveracting
Excessive theatrical performance
chewing the scenery · overplaying · mugging · emoting · histrionics
underplayingoveremphasizing
Stressing beyond due measure
exaggerating · overstating · playing up · dramatizing · magnifying
play, display, acting, playful, playing, replay, playwright, underplay, overplay