power play: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal, Business, Academic, Sports Journalism
Quick answer
What does “power play” mean?
A strategic manoeuvre, especially in sports, politics, or business, where one party uses its advantage in strength, authority, or position to dominate or gain a decisive benefit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A strategic manoeuvre, especially in sports, politics, or business, where one party uses its advantage in strength, authority, or position to dominate or gain a decisive benefit.
More broadly, any situation where a person or group aggressively asserts authority or exploits an advantage, often in a calculated or theatrical manner, to control a situation or relationship.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling remains consistent. The term is slightly more prevalent in North American sports commentary (especially ice hockey).
Connotations
Broadly similar connotations in both variants. In UK political discourse, it may be used more frequently in the context of parliamentary manoeuvring.
Frequency
High frequency in both variants, particularly in business, political, and sports media. Slightly higher in American English due to specific sports terminology.
Grammar
How to Use “power play” in a Sentence
[subject] made/executed a power playIt was a blatant power play by [agent]The [situation] is characterised by power playsto engage in power playsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “power play” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He is constantly power-playing his colleagues to get his way.
American English
- The senator tried to power-play the committee, but they pushed back.
adjective
British English
- The meeting had a distinct power-play atmosphere.
American English
- They used power-play tactics to secure the contract.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
The CEO's sudden restructuring was seen as a power play to sideline the old board.
Academic
The paper analyses the diplomatic power plays leading to the treaty's dissolution.
Everyday
He's always making little power plays, like scheduling meetings at inconvenient times.
Technical
The team scored twice during the five-minute power play. (Ice Hockey)
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “power play”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “power play”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “power play”
- Using it to describe any argument or disagreement (it requires a strategic, advantage-exploiting element).
- Confusing it with 'abuse of power', which is more about misuse of authority rather than a strategic manoeuvre.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always, but it is typically seen as aggressive and self-serving. In sports, it is a neutral, rule-based situation (e.g., a power play in hockey). In interpersonal or political contexts, it usually has a negative connotation of manipulation.
A 'power play' is a specific tactical move or manoeuvre made within a broader conflict. A 'power struggle' is the extended conflict or competition for dominance itself. A struggle may involve many plays.
Yes, though it is less common and somewhat informal (e.g., 'He's always power-playing his subordinates'). The noun form is standard.
Rarely. It primarily refers to the use of strategic, political, social, or psychological advantage. The 'power' is metaphorical, relating to authority, influence, or a positional advantage.
A strategic manoeuvre, especially in sports, politics, or business, where one party uses its advantage in strength, authority, or position to dominate or gain a decisive benefit.
Power play is usually formal, business, academic, sports journalism in register.
Power play: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊə pleɪ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpaʊər pleɪ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's all a power play.”
- “A game of power plays.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a chess PLAY where you use your most POWERful piece to threaten the opponent's king and force them into a bad position. That's a POWER PLAY.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOCIAL/POLITICAL INTERACTION IS A SPORT/GAME. STRENGTH IS A RESOURCE TO BE DEPLOYED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'power play' used in its most literal, technical sense?