play coy

Frequency: 7.09.5 per million words

To pretend to be shy or innocent, often to attract attention or avoid a question.

coyVERBS + coy

Categories:

play

Examples (10)

  • Don't play coy with me; I know you have the answer.
  • When asked about the merger, the CEO played coy, refusing to give a straight answer.
  • She tends to play coy when he compliments her, batting her eyelashes.
  • He's just playing coy; he's actually very interested in you.
  • The politician has been playing coy about his future plans.
  • Stop playing coy and just admit you broke the vase.
  • I expect the celebrity will play coy when reporters ask about her new relationship.
  • If you play coy during the negotiation, they might not take you seriously.
  • There's no need to play coy; we're all friends here.
  • He had a habit of playing coy whenever a difficult decision needed to be made.