play in
verb1
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play, in.
- The children are playing in the sandpit.
2
Ball games, Cricket, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Sports Of a batsman, to settle and become comfortable with the conditions at the beginning of his innings.
Play oneself in
3
Ball games, Games, Hobbies, Lifestyle, Soccer, Sports To pass (someone) the ball into an attacking position.
- Zubar played in Doyle down the Wolves left and his ball into the box evaded several players before falling for Mujangi Bia to finally drive in a second past Neil Sullivan.2011 January 18, “Wolverhampton 5 - 0 Doncaster”, in BBC:
- Salah bamboozled Lisandro Martinez to play in Gakpo for another classy finish three minutes later before the Egyptian resumed his long-time role of United tormentor by getting on the scoresheet himself.2023 March 5, Phil McNulty, “Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United”, in BBC Sport: