Meaning trap
play up
emphasise
To draw attention to something or make it seem more important or attractive than it really is.
phrasal verbB2common
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
emphasise
To draw attention to something or make it seem more important or attractive than it really is.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The advert plays up the health benefits but says nothing about the sugar.
I think some newspapers play up negative stories because they attract more readers.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The ad plays up on the health benefits.
Say: The ad plays up the health benefits.
No 'on' — 'play up' takes the object directly.