The idiom *play for love* means to engage in an activity solely for personal enjoyment or passion, without any expectation of financial gain or external recognition.
The idiom "skin in the game" means to have a personal stake or investment in a situation, typically involving a risk or potential loss. It implies that someone is personally involved and stands to gain or lose something based on the outcome.
"Play it for all it's worth" means to take full advantage of a situation or opportunity to benefit oneself, often by using all available resources or skills to maximize the potential outcome.
The idiom "play it cool" means to remain calm and composed in a situation, especially when feeling nervous or under pressure. It involves maintaining a nonchalant or unaffected attitude to hide one's true emotions or intentions.
The idiom "play games" means to behave in a deceptive or manipulative way, often for personal gain or advantage.
The idiom "play games" is commonly used to refer to situations or behaviors that involve deception, manipulation, or lack of straightforwardness. It can be traced back to the early 19th century and has been extensively used in literature, conversations, and media.
The idiom "play for time" means to delay taking action in order to gain more time or to avoid making a decision immediately.
Enigmatic Passion:
The idiom "for the love of" is closely related to the phrase "play for love." Both idioms revolve around the idea of engaging in an activity purely out of love, enjoyment, and passion. When someone does something "for the love of" it, they do it simply because they love it and find pleasure in it. Similarly, when someone "plays for love," they are playing a game without keeping score or playing solely for the joy of playing, rather than for any competitive or material gain.
Using the idiom "for the love of" can emphasize the idea that the activity being pursued is not driven by external motivations or rewards, but by a genuine affection and appreciation for the activity itself. Whether it's playing a sport, pursuing a hobby, or engaging in any other endeavor, doing it "for the love of" it highlights a deep connection and devotion to the activity, prioritizing personal fulfillment and enjoyment over any other considerations.
One might say, "I play tennis for the love of the game," indicating that they play purely because they enjoy it and have a passion for the sport. Similarly, someone might say, "I paint for the love of it," highlighting the fact that they engage in painting as a form of personal expression and enjoyment, without seeking recognition or material gain.
Another closely related idiom is "play games," which can be seen as a figurative extension of the phrase "play for love." When we "play games," we engage in recreational activities or hobbies purely for enjoyment and entertainment. This could refer to playing board games, card games, video games, or any other form of playful activity.
Using the idiom "play games" can add a playful and lighthearted tone to the description of engaging in recreational activities. It can also convey the idea of approaching these activities with a sense of fun, spontaneity, and a willingness to let go of seriousness and competitiveness. When someone says, "Let's play games," they are inviting others to join them in engaging in enjoyable and light-hearted activities for the sake of having fun.
The idiom "play around" is another phrase related to "play for love." While "play for love" emphasizes engaging in an activity purely out of love and enjoyment, "play around" can have a slightly different connotation. "Play around" often refers to engaging in a particular activity casually or without taking it seriously.
When someone says, "I like to play around with photography," they are expressing a casual and exploratory approach to the activity of photography, not necessarily aiming to become a professional or to achieve any specific outcomes. Similarly, one might say, "I like to play around with cooking," indicating that they enjoy experimenting with different flavors and techniques in the kitchen without strict adherence to recipes or culinary rules.
Using the idiom "play around" can bring a sense of playfulness, experimentation, and freedom to the description of engaging in an activity. It suggests an openness to trying new things, embracing spontaneity, and allowing room for creativity and exploration.
"play for love" is an idiom that originated in the game of tennis, but has been adopted metaphorically to describe engaging in activities purely out of love, enjoyment, and passion. The related idioms "for the love of," "play games," and "play around" further emphasize the idea of pursuing activities for the joy, pleasure, and personal fulfillment they bring, rather than for external motivations or competitiveness.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "play for love" can be used in a sentence:
She doesn't care about winning the competition, she just plays for love.
The amateur basketball team doesn't receive any payment, they play for love of the game.
He turned down a professional contract to continue playing for love at his local club.
