make play with something—make effective use of smth.:
- Clever politicians make play with the subject for their own ends, and the general result is confusion, extravagance, and injustice.
Note: The expression does not correlate in meaning with the phrase make a play for something—make a conspicuous attempt to gain or acquire smth.:
- Tony is left to decide whether he will make a play for the top job in the family or concede control to his uncle.
play about with something —(also: play around with something)
1. amuse oneself manipulating smth. (to explore its possibilities):
- I’ve been playing about with my camera a lot recently, as such I’ve got lots of pictures to share.
2. cause disorder to smth.; interfere with smth.:
- I recently moved my bed into the living room because of the cold and it has been playing about with my sleep.
See also: make a big play of something / make great game of something.