verb
- to play (a card, piece, or move) incorrectly or poorly in a game
- to handle or manage (a situation) badly or incorrectly
Usage: games; sports
Usage: figurative
Examples
- She misplayed her ace and lost the hand.
- The quarterback misplayed the snap and fumbled the ball.
- He misplayed that chess move and put his king in danger.
- The company misplayed the merger negotiations.
- The politician misplayed the scandal and lost public support.
- They misplayed their opening strategy in the tournament.
- The team misplayed several key opportunities in the final minutes.