play out

verb

played out; playing out; plays out

transitive verb

1

a

: to perform to the end

play out a role

b

: use up, finish

2

: unreel, unfold

played out a length of line

—Gordon Webber

intransitive verb

1

: to become spent or exhausted

2

: develop, unfold

see how things play out

Synonyms

• absorb
• burn
• consume
• deplete
• devour
• drain
• draw down
• exhaust
• expend
• spend
• use up

Examples of play out in a Sentence

we've finally played out the leftovers from that huge holiday meal

Recent Examples on the Web

The same situation played out with Jade Cargill, CM Punk and later Ethan Page, who became NXT champion within weeks of his debut. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024

And with President-elect Donald Trump about to take office, how SpaceX's relationship with the federal government plays out in South Texas remains to be seen. —Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 18 Dec. 2024

The film provides a clear, compelling picture of exactly how each tactical move and counter-move is playing out on the city streets and military facilities of Seoul. —Richard Kuipers, Variety, 17 Dec. 2024

Some of the foreign policy maneuvering has played out in high-profile public events, such as Trump's appearance alongside French President Emmanuel Macron at the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris earlier this month. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

play out

verb

1

: to perform to the end

2

a

: to use up or finish

b

: to become exhausted : tire

3

: unreel, unfold