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Phrase(s): play someone against someone else
to cause someone to dispute with someone else. • Don tried to play George against David, but they figured out what he was up to. • Alice never managed to play Tom against Fred., Phrase(s): play against someone or something
to compete against someone or something in a team sport. • We won’t be ready to play against the other team this weekend. • We refuse to play against you until the field is in better condition.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs