stop working properly
The wifi's playing up again, the video keeps freezing.
play up — 2 meanings
Same words, different jobs. Compare the meanings side by side so you know which one fits the situation.
phrasal verb2 meanings
play upsame phrase
Which one do you mean?
(of a device or connection) work badly
The wifi's been playing up all morning, so I can't get on any of my emails.
Unlock the practice layer
Free: compare the meanings and see one natural example. Pro adds deeper examples, listening, saved confusing meanings, and review.
Meanings in detail
1. stop working properly
B2informalspoken
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.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlock2. (of a device or connection) work badly
B1informalspoken
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.
Pro depth
Unlock deeper examples, listening, common mistakes, and review with Pro.
Sign in to unlockTurn this confusion into speaking practice
Practise one meaning at a time, save confusing meanings, review later, and listen to natural examples when generated audio is ready.