play hard to get
idiom
: to pretend that one is not interested in having a romantic or sexual relationship with someone in order to make that person more attracted to one
Examples of play hard to get in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Expect a back-and-forth battle, but the Chiefs will play hard to get the first-ever NFL three-peat.
Prediction: Chiefs 31, Eagles 28
Matt Levine
Two years ago, NFL fans were gifted with one of the better Super Bowls in recent memory.
—
Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
But don’t use cheesy pick-up lines or play hard to get.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Ellie plans to play hard to get with Joe … or dance with him the second Bri goes to the loo.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 10 June 2024
Most job applicants play hard to get.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022
That’s right, LTW, play hard to get!
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2021
But the Empress has never had the confidence to play hard to get, alas.
—Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2020
What a time for the White House personnel office to play hard to get!
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 13 Nov. 2020
Cats have distinct personalities: Some can be high maintenance in their demands of love and attention, while others are more aloof, play hard to get and make their humans work for affection.
—Traci Howerton, NOLA.com, 2 Sep. 2020
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Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 8 Feb. 2025
But don’t use cheesy pick-up lines or play hard to get.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025
Ellie plans to play hard to get with Joe … or dance with him the second Bri goes to the loo.
—Emma Soren, Vulture, 10 June 2024
Most job applicants play hard to get.
—Jack Kelly, Forbes, 8 Aug. 2022
That’s right, LTW, play hard to get!
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2021
But the Empress has never had the confidence to play hard to get, alas.
—Washington Post, 17 Dec. 2020
What a time for the White House personnel office to play hard to get!
—Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 13 Nov. 2020
Cats have distinct personalities: Some can be high maintenance in their demands of love and attention, while others are more aloof, play hard to get and make their humans work for affection.
—Traci Howerton, NOLA.com, 2 Sep. 2020
Dictionary Entries Near play hard to get
Cite this Entry
“Play hard to get.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/play%20hard%20to%20get. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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