To play hob

To play hob
Play Play, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. [1913 Webster]

First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. --Herbert. [1913 Webster]

2. To perform music upon; as, to play the flute or the organ. [1913 Webster]

3. To perform, as a piece of music, on an instrument; as, to play a waltz on the violin. [1913 Webster]

4. To bring into sportive or wanton action; to exhibit in action; to execute; as, to play tricks. [1913 Webster]

Nature here Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will Her virgin fancies. --Milton. [1913 Webster]

5. To act or perform (a play); to represent in music action; as, to play a comedy; also, to act in the character of; to represent by acting; to simulate; to behave like; as, to play King Lear; to play the woman. [1913 Webster]

Thou canst play the rational if thou wilt. --Sir W. Scott. [1913 Webster]

6. To engage in, or go together with, as a contest for amusement or for a wager or prize; as, to play a game at baseball. [1913 Webster]

7. To keep in play, as a hooked fish, in order to land it. [1913 Webster]

{To play hob}, to play the part of a mischievous spirit; to work mischief.

{To play off}, to display; to show; to put in exercise; as, to play off tricks.

{To play one's cards}, to manage one's means or opportunities; to contrive.

{Played out}, tired out; exhausted; at the end of one's resources. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • play\ hob\ with — • play the devil with • play hob with v. phr. informal To cause confusion in; upset. Uncle Bob s unexpected visit played the devil with our own plans to travel. Mother s illness played hob with our party …   Словарь американских идиом

  • play hob — phrasal 1. : to cause mischief : make trouble : cause an upset : cause confusion or disruption or havoc usually used with with would disorganize his life and play hob with his standard of living John Lardner 2. : to take liberties : make free… …   Useful english dictionary

  • play hob with — idi to do mischief or harm to …   From formal English to slang

  • play\ the\ devil\ with — • play the devil with • play hob with v. phr. informal To cause confusion in; upset. Uncle Bob s unexpected visit played the devil with our own plans to travel. Mother s illness played hob with our party …   Словарь американских идиом

  • Play — Play, v. t. 1. To put in action or motion; as, to play cannon upon a fortification; to play a trump. [1913 Webster] First Peace and Silence all disputes control, Then Order plays the soul. Herbert. [1913 Webster] 2. To perform music upon; as, to… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hob — hob1 [häb] n. [? var. of HUB] 1. a projecting ledge at the back or side of a fireplace, used for keeping a kettle, saucepan, etc. warm 2. a peg used as a target in quoits, etc. 3. a device for cutting teeth in a gear blank, etc. hob2 [häb] n. [ME …   English World dictionary

  • hob — hob1 hobber, n. /hob/, n., v., hobbed, hobbing. n. 1. a projection or shelf at the back or side of a fireplace, used for keeping food warm. 2. a rounded peg or pin used as a target in quoits and similar games. 3. a game in which such a peg is… …   Universalium

  • hob — I [[t]hɒb[/t]] n. v. hobbed, hob•bing 1) a projection or shelf at the back or side of a fireplace, used for keeping food warm 2) mac a milling cutter for gear and sprocket teeth, splines, threads, etc 3) mac to cut with a hob 4) to provide with… …   From formal English to slang

  • hob — I. /hɒb/ (say hob) noun 1. a projection or shelf around a fireplace, where kettles, saucepans, etc., may be heated. 2. a flat heated surface of a stove, especially a fuel stove, for the same purpose. 3. a rounded peg or pin used as a target in… …  

  • hob — See: PLAY THE DEVIL WITH or PLAY HOB WITH …   Dictionary of American idioms

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