play up to

To act very nicely toward someone powerful or important so they will like you and give you something.

"He always plays up to the director, laughing at all his jokes."

Hear it in context

Hour 2: Kevin Clark, This is Football

ESPN College Football · 26:46

if the quarterbacks don't play up to par,

ENGLAND VS FRANCE: ELEVEN ALL STARS [OFFICIAL STREAM]

Sidemen · 8:51

You got a few people that love to play up to it.

Arsenal's title to lose⁉️ How Man City's draw vs. Everton hurts them in the EPL title race | ESPN FC

ESPN FC · 12:08

Cuz he knows that they didn't play up to the standards

'It's now in Arsenal's hands' 👀 REACTION to Man City dropping points against Everton | ESPN FC

ESPN FC · 12:08

Because he knows that they didn't play up to the standards that, you know,

‘ABOMINATION!’ Will Arsenal win the Premier League after Man City slip in title race? 👀 | ESPN FC

ESPN UK · 12:08

Cuz he knows that they didn't play up to the standards that, you know,

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