play big

Meanings

1. 1phraseidiominformalfigurative

   To act boldly and set ambitious goals, taking big risks and aiming high instead of being cautious.

   Grammar: Used like an intransitive verb with no object: you have to play big to win.

   Patterns

   • play big in something

   If you want to win the contract, you have to play big.

   The startup decided to play big and enter three markets at once.

   She told her team to stop being timid and play big.

2. 2phraseidiomsport

   In sports and games, to play with great energy and confidence, especially in important moments.

   Grammar: Often used as a coach's comment: players who play big in finals.

   Patterns

   • play big in something
   • play big when it matters

   Great players play big in the final minutes of a game.

   He has a habit of playing big when the pressure is on.

   The coach said the team must play big in the semifinal.

Word forms

Common combinations

play big or go home

Our motto is play big or go home.

dream and play big

Dream and play big if you want a different life.

play big in the playoffs

He plays big in the playoffs.

play big when it matters

The captain plays big when it matters.

Synonyms and how they differ

think big

Think big is about imagining large goals, while play big adds taking action and risk.

aim high

Aim high is about the size of your goals, whereas play big includes acting boldly to reach them.

go for broke

Go for broke means risking everything, which is more extreme than the general ambition of play big.

step up

Step up means taking responsibility or raising your effort, but not necessarily taking bold risks.

Opposites

Word family

big adjective

large in size, importance or ambition

big-time adjective

important or at the highest level

big player noun

a powerful or important person or company

Commonly confused: play big or play it big?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “play big”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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