Grammar fix
downplay
minimise seriousness
To make something seem less important, serious, or bad than it really is.
How oftenCommon
LevelB2
Used inSpeech & writing
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
The company tried to downplay the risks of the new product.
My parents tend to downplay their problems, so you sometimes have to ask twice before they tell you what is really wrong.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: The company downplayed about the problem.
Say: The company downplayed the problem.
Use downplay directly with the thing being minimised; do not add 'about'.
Don't confuse it
Other ways to say it
Make something seem less serious
How dismissiveUnderstateTreat lightly
downplayYou're here · One-word form of play down; common in news and writing.
play downPresent a problem or event as less serious or important.make light ofTreat something serious as unimportant, sometimes through humour.