/un'deuhr play", un"deuhr play'/ , v.t.
1. to act (a part) sketchily.
2. to act subtly and restrainedly.
3. to understate or de-emphasize; downplay: The ambassador underplayed his role in the peace negotiations.
v.i.
4. to leave out of one's acting all subtlety and enriching detail.
5. to achieve an effect in acting with a minimum of emphasis.
[ 1725-35; UNDER- + PLAY ]