The difference between Act up and Play up
When used as verbs, act up means to misbehave, whereas play up means to misbehave.
check bellow for the other definitions of Act up and Play up
-
Act up as a verb (intransitive, idiomatic):
To misbehave; to cause trouble.
Examples:
"My allergies act up during hay fever season."
"Children may act up in class in an effort to get attention."
-
Act up as a verb (intransitive, idiomatic):
To perform the duties of an appointment senior to that actually held; to deputise for a superior.
-
Play up as a verb (British, idiomatic):
To misbehave
Examples:
"Children who do not receive enough attention may begin to play up."
"The radar system is playing up again."
-
Play up as a verb (idiomatic):
To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely or obvious; to showcase or highlight
Examples:
"For the audition, Nicole will play up her skill as a pianist by playing ''Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring'' by Bach."
-
Play up as a verb (intransitive):
To play more vigorously.