v. phr. . slang 1. To try to gain the favor of, especially for selfish reasons; act to win the approval of; try to please. He played up to the boss. 2. To use (something) to gain an end; to attend to (a weakness). He played up to the old lady's vanity to get her support.
PLAY UP TO
Meaning of PLAY UP TO in English
American idioms English vocabulary. Английский словарь американских идиом. 2012