play into someone's hands en · VERB
Meanings
-
To act, or to manage matters, to someone's advantage or benefit.
It had been suggested Napoli's fans struggle to form an attachment with the Italy team and their silence throughout the first half and reaction at half time suggested they could hardly wait to get back to throwing their passion and fire behind their own team as they run away with Serie A and chase the Champions League. The subdued mood played into England's hands, Gareth Southgate's side only making life difficult for themselves with their own indifferent showing that almost allowed Italy back in.
2023 March 23, Phil McNulty, “Italy 1-2 England”, in BBC Sport:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| played into someone's hands | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played into someone's hands | Tense=Past | lexicographic | |
| play into the hands of | alternative | lexicographic | |
| playing into someone's hands | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| play into the hand of | alternative | lexicographic | |
| play into someone's hand | alternative | lexicographic | |
| plays into someone's hands | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic |
Translations (5)
de jemandem in die Hände spielen (to act to someone's advantage) · ru игра́ть на́ руку impf кому-либо (to act to someone's advantage) · pl działać na czyjąś korzyść (to act to someone's advantage) · fi pelata jonkun pussiin (to act to someone's advantage) · fr faire le jeu de (to act to someone's advantage)