make a big play of something—(also: make much play of something) treat smth. as very important in order to make an effect:
- They get us out of the car and make a big play of examining our papers.
make great game of something—make fun of smth.; ridicule smth.:
- People made great game of the affair and called him Thorgeir Bottleback, a name which stuck to him ever after.
See also: make play with something / play about with something.