Meaning & use
playing small
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“playing small” is a form of “play small”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseidiominformalfigurative
Holding yourself back and aiming lower than you could, out of fear, doubt or wish not to stand out.
Grammar: Used with a subject doing it: you are playing small.
Patterns
- stop playing small
- play small in something
She realized she had been playing small at work to avoid criticism.
Stop playing small and apply for the senior role.
Playing small may feel safe, but it keeps your talents hidden.
phraseidiomsport
In sport and games, playing in a cautious, defensive way with limited risks.
Grammar: Contrast with going big or playing wide open.
Patterns
- play small against someone
The underdogs were playing small, hoping to keep the score close.
Against the stronger team, the coach told them to stop playing small.
He criticized the side for playing small in the final minutes.
Word forms
| base form | play small |
|---|---|
| third person singular | plays small |
| past tense | played small |
| -ing form | playing small |
Common combinations
- stop playing small
- It's time to stop playing small with your dreams.
- keep playing small
- If you keep playing small, nobody will notice your work.
- tired of playing small
- He was tired of playing small in his career.
- refuse to play small
- She refuses to play small just to make others comfortable.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hold back
- Hold back is a general phrase for restraining effort, while playing small implies a habit tied to fear or self-doubt.
- sell yourself short
- Sell yourself short stresses undervaluing yourself, while playing small stresses limiting your actions.
- aim low
- Aim low is about setting modest goals, whereas playing small can also be about how you behave.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: playing small or playing down?
playing small vs playing down
Playing down means making something seem less important, while playing small means limiting your own ambitions.
Practice
My coach told me I was ______, always avoiding the spotlight when I deserved it.
Choose one answer.
Playing small means holding back from fear or modesty. Playing up means misbehaving, along means going along with someone and around means fooling about.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “playing small”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.