play up — (of a device or connection) work badly
phrasal verbB1core
If your wifi, phone or computer is playing up, it keeps going wrong or not working properly.
Pattern: the wifi / my phone is playing up
In use
- The wifi's been playing up all morning, so I can't get on any of my emails.technology
- Sorry I missed your call — my phone was playing up again.technology
Common mistake
Don't say 'the wifi is playing out' — it's 'playing up'.