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

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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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