1. present participle of underplay: to perform or present something with less emphasis or intensity than expected
Usage: theater; performance
2. present participle of underplay: to deliberately make something seem less important or significant than it actually is

Examples

• The actor was underplaying the dramatic scene, making it feel flat.
• She’s underplaying her achievements to seem more modest.
• The coach is underplaying the team’s chances before the big game.
• He’s underplaying his role in the project’s success.
• The politician was underplaying the severity of the crisis.
• By underplaying her emotions, she maintained her composure.
• The director told him to stop underplaying the villain’s menace.