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Liveinjapan Posted 17 years ago
Grammar
Playdown / down play
Last winter, he appeared to play down the impact of economic problems in the United States, which threatened to cut car sales.
Can I replace 'play down' wiht 'downplay'?
Do they mean the same?
Thanks.
Can I replace 'play down' wiht 'downplay'?
Do they mean the same?
Thanks.
Top answer
I say yes. But you've hooked the wrong one together. " Hmmm - Am I dreaming?
- I say yes.
- But you've hooked the wrong one together.
- " Hmmm - Am I dreaming?
- Oh, yes.
- It's the title!
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4 Answers
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I say yes. But you've hooked the wrong one together. It's "play down" and "downplay." Hmmm - Am I dreaming? Oh, yes. It's the title!
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Oops! I'm stupid.
Thanks, Avangi.
BTW, my E-J dictionary says the same, but on second thoughts, I wonder if there's a subtle difference: downplay means 'he knows its important but says not', while 'play down' means 'it's not so much he knows the importance as that he missed the importance'.
What do you think?
Thanks, Avangi.
BTW, my E-J dictionary says the same, but on second thoughts, I wonder if there's a subtle difference: downplay means 'he knows its important but says not', while 'play down' means 'it's not so much he knows the importance as that he missed the importance'.
What do you think?
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No, I don't agree. I think both versions of the expression indicate a deliberate attempt to persuade people that X is of very minor importance.
I don't feel that the expression deals at all with whether or not the speaker is being deceitful. He may downplay X because he believes false rumors are spreading claiming X is a very big deal, and these rumors are bad for
I don't feel that the expression deals at all with whether or not the speaker is being deceitful. He may downplay X because he believes false rumors are spreading claiming X is a very big deal, and these rumors are bad for
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