I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ verb
Etymology: under (I) + play
transitive verb
1. : to play a card lower than (a held high card)
underplayed his ace
2. : to act or present (as a role or a scene) with restraint or subdued force : refrain from emphasizing or exaggerating : play down
underplay the comic elements of an opera
continued briskly underplaying the drama of his news — Louis Auchincloss
intransitive verb
: to play a role or scene with restraint or subdued force
II. ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
1. : an act or instance of underplaying
2. : hidden or underlying action
a subtle underplay of antagonism beneath the polite conversation