Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic)To behave in a manner that isstraightforward,honest, orsincere.1911,Basil King, chapter 16, inThe Street Called Straight:"The position you'd put me in would be this—of playing a game—and a jolly important game at that—in which the loser loses to me on purpose. . . . If we're going to play a game," he continued, addressing Davenant, before the latter had time to speak, "for Heaven's sake let usplay it straight—like men. Let the winner win and the loser lose—"1992July 29,Gwen Ifill, “The 1992 Campaign: Clinton counters on foreign policy”, inNew York Times, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:He added, "I think the American people want a President who willplay it straightin foreign policy, tell them the truth."; (idiomatic,performing arts)To perform a role in a manner that is notcomedicorexaggerated.1998March 11, Mark Coatney, “Lloyd Bridges, 1913-1998”, inTime, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:And how can you not admire a man who could star in a stinker likeBattlestar Galactica—andplay it straight?2001December 2, Leslie Kandell, “Jersey Footlights:Playing It Straight”, inNew York Times, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:Peter Schickele, the musical satirist and radio show host whose PDQ Bach Christmas concerts sell out Carnegie Hall each year, is not known forplaying it straight.; (idiomatic)To avoidcriminalbehavior.Synonym:go straight1976July 11, Nicholas, “Don't call me an informant”, inNew York Times, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:"But the best thing about him is that he alwaysplayed it straightwith us—never double‐dealed, giving us two and keeping one for himself."2013October 7, Jim Harger, “'The Wolf of Wall Street' lectures Economic Club of Grand Rapids on ethics”, inMLive Media Group, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:Belfort, who made millions on Wall Street before the FBI indicted him and he served nearly two years in federal prison, told the audience he could have made a lot more money if he hadplayed it straight.2017July 19, Matt Lakin, “Jake Butcher, disgraced East Tennessee banking kingpin, dies”, inKnoxville News Sentinel, retrieved 2 Sept 2017:"They could have made a fortune justplaying it straight, but that wasn't enough for them," said Gill. . . . The brothers ultimately pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy and bank fraud.
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