Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic)To seek ways to advance one'sself-interest, especially by making choices in acalculatingorcraftymanner; toscheme.1966December 23, “Stars: The Now & Future Queen”, inTime, retrieved27 February 2014:In a town where everybodyplays the anglesand wholesomeness is something of an aberration, Julie Andrews, 31, is tolerated as a delightful kook.2007,Pete Hautman,All-in,→ISBN,page40:She told him that she was dangerous, that she couldn't be trusted, that all she wanted to do in her life wasplay the anglesand stick it to anybody who gave her the opportunity.2012June 21, “Editorial: Sanctions Against Iran”, inNew York Times, retrieved27 February 2014:Iran, alwaysplaying the angles, is still trying to figure out how much economic pain it is willing to accept to maintain its nuclear ambitions and what, if anything, it is willing to give up.2012February 13, Connie Cass, “At least your money can live like a millionaire's”, inBusinessweek, retrieved1 March 2014:For tax evaders and thoseplaying the angles, a network of accountants, lawyers and bankers is ready to set up shell companies and phony trusts to hide behind.; (sports,of adefensiveplayer orgoaltender)In a game which involves control of a moving object, such as aballorpuck, to allow forangularmovementsof the object caused bybounces,rebounds,ricochets, etc. or to carefully guard the corners of thegoal,net, or other scoringtarget.1996,Robert W. Creamer,Stengel: His Life and Times,→ISBN,page43:Stengel also had trouble with balls bouncing off the outfield fences. . . . "If you want somebody toplay the angles," the frustrated rookie replied, "why don't you hire a pool player?"2014February 23, James Emery, “Flames welcome back Olympians Smid, Berra”, inCalgary Sun, Canada, retrieved1 March 2014:“It’s good to get back on the ice and back to NHL habits,” Smid said. “The rink is a little bit smaller here and you’ve got toplay the anglesdifferently.”; (sports,of anoffensiveplayer)In a game which involves control of a moving object, such as a ball or puck, to seek scoring opportunities by advancing on or shooting at the scoring target in an angular manner across thefield of play.1987February 9, Peter Alfano, “Tennis: Mayotte defeats McEnroe in 4 sets”, inNew York Times, retrieved1 March 2014:McEnroe was broken again in the sixth game, making three uncharacteristic errors. His volleys lacked crispness. Instead ofplaying the angles, he was hitting them right back to Mayotte.2014March 1,Mike Pejic, “Making the Britannia Stadium a fortress key to Stoke City's Premier League survival”, inThe Sentinel, UK, retrieved1 March 2014:Whoever is playing for Arsenal, they just love to cram central areas and knock the ball around in the attacking third. Whether they areplaying the angleswith quick one-twos, or passing and following the path of the ball, they are forever moving you around defensively.
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