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play it safe

play it safe
P p

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pley it seyf]
    • /pleɪ ɪt seɪf/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [pley it seyf]
    • /pleɪ ɪt seɪf/

Definitions of play it safe words

  • noun play it safe a dramatic composition or piece; drama. 1
  • noun play it safe a dramatic performance, as on the stage. 1
  • noun play it safe exercise or activity for amusement or recreation. 1
  • noun play it safe fun or jest, as opposed to seriousness: I said it merely in play. 1
  • noun play it safe a pun. 1
  • noun play it safe the playing, action, or conduct of a game: The pitcher was replaced in the fourth inning of play. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of play it safe

First appearance:

before 900
One of the 4% oldest English words
before 900; (noun) Middle English pleye, Old English plega; (v.) Middle English pleyen, Old English pleg(i)an (cognate with Middle Dutch pleien to leap for joy, dance, rejoice, be glad)

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Play it safe

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

play it safe popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 100% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

play it safe usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

See also

Matching words

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