play coy

idiom

US
: to avoid giving a direct or complete answer
When asked about his next book, he played coy.

Examples of play coy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All three of these Larraín films play coy with the idea of image as both power and a prison, acknowledging how absurdly elevated a problem that is to wrestle with, while at the same time trying to treat it with the seriousness its subjects demand. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2024 Bailey and Cameron play coy when asked about this possibility, stumbling over their words. Christy Piña, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Oct. 2024 And while the company opts to play coy about the basic existence of a Switch 2, it’s spent much of its time focusing on theme parks and movies, seemingly committed to beating Disney at its own game. Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 27 Sep. 2024 On Late Night with Seth Meyers the following day, David tried to play coy about the interaction. Julia Moore, Peoplemag, 24 Apr. 2024 Many celebrities play coy when asked controversial questions. USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 Morgan and director Kelley Kali (taking over for the short’s director, Meredith Alloway) don’t play coy with the audience about what’s actually happening. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023 Alas, the gauges, depending upon your driving position, may play coy with your line of sight through the artful steering wheel. Larry Griffin, Car and Driver, 14 May 2023 Morgan and director Kelley Kali (taking over for the short’s director, Meredith Alloway) don’t play coy with the audience about what’s actually happening. Noel Murray, Los Angeles Times, 16 June 2023

Dictionary Entries Near play coy

Cite this Entry

“Play coy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20coy. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!