playsomeone/somethingoff againstsomeone/something
phrasal verbwithplayverbuk/pleɪ/us/pleɪ/
toencourageonepersonorgrouptocompeteorarguewith another,hopingtogainsomeadvantagefrom thissituation:
Managementpolicyseemedto be toplayonedepartmentoff against another.
Competing and contending (non-sporting)
- be one up onsomeoneidiom
- bid
- cat
- catchup
- chancer
- close-run
- competition
- contest
- dare
- go in forsomething
- go toe to toeidiom
- hyper-competitive
- in the gameidiom
- intercollegiate
- runners and ridersidiom
- showing
- slugfest
- snap atsomeone'sheelsidiom
- super-competitive
- toe