to play one's
21play one against another — verb To manipulate two persons into competing against one another in a way that benefits the person carrying out the manipulation …
22play one's cards well — use a situation to one s advantage …
23play one's trump card — use one s winning card; draw the last card …
24play one's cards right — make the best use of one s assets and opportunities. → card …
25play one's cards — phrasal : to act with the means available to one …
26To play one's cards well — Card Card (k[aum]rd), n. [F. carte, fr. L. charta paper, Gr. ? a leaf of paper. Cf. {Chart}.] 1. A piece of pasteboard, or thick paper, blank or prepared for various uses; as, a playing card; a visiting card; a card of invitation; pl. a game… …
27keep (or play) one's cards close to one's chest (or US vest) — informal be extremely secretive about one s intentions. → chest …
28play one false — {v. phr.}, {literary} To act disloyally toward (a person); betray; cheat; deceive. * /Good faith was not in him: he played anyone false who trusted him./ * /His hopes had played him false./ …
29play one for — {v.}, {informal} To treat (someone) as; act toward (someone) as; handle (someone) as; handle as. * /He played the man for a sucker./ …
30play one false — {v. phr.}, {literary} To act disloyally toward (a person); betray; cheat; deceive. * /Good faith was not in him: he played anyone false who trusted him./ * /His hopes had played him false./ …