underplay

[US]/ˌʌndəˈpleɪ/
[UK]/ˌʌndərˈpleɪ/
Frequency: Very High

Translation

vt. downplay the importance; conceal

vi. perform inadequately

n. inadequate performance

Example Sentences

discreet camerawork and underplayed acting.

the violins underplayed the romantic element in the music.

I do not wish to underplay the tragedies that have occurred.

second, the role of bank holding companies may further increase the incentives of shareholders to underplay risk;

She tends to underplay her achievements.

He underplays his role in the project.

The actor intentionally underplays his character for a more subtle performance.

Don't underplay the importance of this meeting.

She tends to underplay her emotions in public.

The company tried to underplay the negative impact of the new policy.

It's important not to underplay the risks involved in this venture.

He tends to underplay his own talents and abilities.

The politician tried to underplay the controversy surrounding his statement.

She underplays her pain to avoid worrying her family.

Real-world Examples

And they don't come as themselves. They don't underplay anything.

Source: Exciting moments of Harry Potter

Internal obstacles are rarely discussed and often underplayed.

Source: Lean In

Bracing as it is, though, this book underplays the robustness of some of the institutions it frets over.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

If we think about history as we do now, we are underplaying 10,000 years of human progress and development.

Source: Kurzgesagt science animation

It was a breakthrough moment, teaching Plummer to avoid mawkish overemoting, and he's been underplaying the hell out of every role since.

Source: Newsweek

Indeed, if anything, I think we are likely underplaying how important the sense of fairness is for people.

Source: TED Talks (Video Edition) December 2020 Collection

An outlook that encourages blind optimism, that ignores reality, and underplays life's many hardships.

Source: Workplace Self-Improvement Guide

As a professor of the history of international relations, he tends to overplay the diplomacy and war and underplay the economics and domestic policy.

Source: The Economist - Arts

Their own integrity, and their own abilities have therefore been underplayed or neglected completely.

Source: Scottish National Gallery

To describe it as a courtroom drama would be to underplay the subtle, tightly controlled study of motherhood, race, belonging and separation that lies at the centre of this darkly mesmerising film.

Source: The Economist (Summary)

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