play-off
Americannoun
-
(in competitive sports) the playing of an extra game, rounds, innings, etc., in order to settle a tie.
-
a series of games or matches, as between the leading teams of two leagues, in order to decide a championship.
In America the most exciting play-off is the World Series.
verb
-
to deal with or manipulate as if in playing a game
to play one person off against another
-
(intr) to take part in a play-off
noun
-
sport an extra contest to decide the winner when two or more competitors are tied
-
a contest or series of games to determine a championship, as between the winners of two competitions
-
See under play both ends against the middle .
-
Break a tie by playing an additional game or period, as in Each team had won three games so they had to play off the tie to decide the championship .
Etymology
Origin of play-off
First recorded in 1890–95; noun use of verb phrase play off
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Prestianni, 20, was accused by Vinicius during the first leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off tie in Lisbon on 17 February.
From BBC
Iraq, who could qualify anyway via a continental play-off at the end of the month, or the UAE, who missed out on qualification, would be favourites to step in.
From BBC
Instead of earning a play-off shot at replacing the Prem's bottom side by finishing top of the second-tier Champ and meeting the top flight's minimum standards, ambitious clubs will instead apply to join and be judged across a range of criteria.
From BBC
Ealing Trailfinders, consistently the best team in the second tier, have failed to meet the existing standards - especially around stadium size - barring them from a play-off game against the top flight's bottom side.
From BBC
As it stands, there is a mechanism for promotion and relegation to and from the Prem via a play-off with the top-placed side in the Champ.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
