play off

verb4

1. •
   To set (other people) against one another: to induce competition between them, especially in a covert way so that they do not realize the degree to which they have been played (manipulated).

   • Stalin's propensity to play off his subordinates against one another is a well-studied theme.
2. •
   To portray (something) (as unimportant); to dismiss or make light of (a factor in a situation, or one's embarrassment about it); to pretend not to be embarrassed, upset, impressed, or otherwise affected by (it).

   • After tripping, Sara tried to play her embarrassment off by laughing with everyone else.
   • Although he's obviously hungover, he's trying to play it off as food poisoning.
3. •
   To compete in a play-off; to compete against (an opponent) in a play-off.
4. •
   (old-fashioned) To display; to show; to put in exercise.

   • to play off tricks