play up — 2 meanings

One phrase, 2 different jobs. Tap a meaning to jump to it — then lock each one in by saying it out loud.

phrasal verb2 meanings

All meanings, in depth

Ordered by how often you'll hear each one — the meaning tells you what it does, the examples and tips show it in use.

B2sth is/keeps playing upspokeninformalMost common

when a device, machine or part of the body keeps causing trouble by not working properly

The wifi's playing up again, the video keeps freezing.

My knee's been playing up since the weekend.

Common mistake

Means intermittent trouble, not a total breakdown — for that, say 'pack up'.

Very British. Used for gadgets, cars, and aches that misbehave on and off.

B1the wifispokeninformal

If your wifi, phone or computer is playing up, it keeps going wrong or not working properly.

The wifi's been playing up all morning, so I can't get on any of my emails.

Sorry I missed your call — my phone was playing up again.

Common mistake

Don't say 'the wifi is playing out' — it's 'playing up'.

Very common for anything that works unreliably, not just tech (a knee, a car, a child can all 'play up').

Practise one meaning at a time and save the ones you mix up for review.