misplay

misplay — verb

IPA/ˌmɪsˈpleɪ/
IPA/ˌmɪsˈpleɪ/
  • misplaypresent simple I / you / we / they
  • misplayshe / she / it
  • misplayedpast simple
  • misplaying-ing form

1. to make a poor or illegal move with a ball, card, or other play during a match

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to make a poor or illegal move with a ball, card, or other play during a match

Example

Darius misplayed the final card and let his rival win the hand.

misplay + card

Hoa misplayed the ball near goal, and the other team scored.

misplay + ball

Common collocations
  • misplay the ball
  • misplay a card
  • misplay the opening
  • misplay the hand
Synonyms
  • mishandle

    broader; often used for controlling a ball or object badly rather than for a whole tactical choice

  • botch

    more informal and broader; can be used outside games and sports

  • fumble

    best when the error involves dropping or losing control, especially with the hands

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

misplay + card/ball/shot

misplay + opening/hand

Usage Note

Usually used for one specific card, shot, ball, hand, or tactical choice in a competitive setting. The word can cover a move that is simply poor or one that breaks the rules.

Common Mistakes

He misplayed in the last card.
He misplayed the last card.
Put the card, ball, or move directly after the verb.

misplay — noun

IPA/ˈmɪs.pleɪ/
IPA/ˈmɪs.pleɪ/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

Misplay is most useful for a move inside a game or sport, especially when a player handles a card, ball, shot, or tactical idea badly. Mishandle is broader and often focuses on poor control of an object rather than the whole play. Botch is more informal and can describe many kinds of badly done actions outside sport. Fumble is strongest when someone drops or loses control of the ball with the hands. Blunder is usually a noun or a more general word for a serious mistake, including in chess and other strategy games.

misplay ↗mishandle ↗botch ↗fumble ↗blunder ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • costly misplay
  • defensive misplay

Phrases

  • misplay the ball
  • misplay the final card
  • misplay the opening
  • make a misplay

Etymology

English

Misplay combines the prefix mis-, meaning 'wrongly' or 'badly', with play. The word developed in English for making an incorrect or unskillful move in a game or sport.

First known use

1867

1867, in the meaning defined above