play up
Phrasal Verb
BritishAustralian
★★★★☆ Common
Casual
Meaning: To cause problems or behave badly
出故障、捣乱
Dar problemas; portarse mal
調子が悪い、問題を起こす
말썽을 부리다, 제대로 작동하지 않다
When something malfunctions or children misbehave.
机器出问题或孩子调皮捣蛋。也可用于身体某部位疼痛。是英式英语常用表达。
Cuando algo funciona mal o los niños se portan mal. También se usa para dolores corporales. Es una expresión típica del inglés británico.
機械が故障したり、子供がいたずらしたりすること。体の一部が痛むことにも使う。イギリス英語でよく使う表現。
기기가 오작동하거나 아이들이 말을 안 듣다.
Base verb: play
Particle: up
Separable: No — the verb and particle stay together
Examples
- The printer is playing up again. 打印机又出故障了La impresora está dando problemas otra vezプリンターがまた調子悪い프린터가 또 말썽이야.
- My back is playing up. 我的腰又在闹毛病Me está dando la espalda腰の調子が悪い허리가 또 안 좋아.
- The kids are playing up. 孩子们在捣乱Los niños se están portando mal子供たちがいたずらしている아이들이 말썽을 부리고 있어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: malfunction, misbehavior
Tone: frustrated
✓ Do Say
- Playing up again又出问题了Dando problemas otra vezまた調子が悪い또 말썽이야
Origin & History
British term for causing trouble.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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