English idiom

come into play

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

to start to have an effect or become relevant

Why this phrase?

From sport, where a ball 'comes into play'; figuratively means 'becomes relevant'.

Example

“Other factors come into play when the weather turns bad.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

get the show on the road

to begin a project or activity that has been delayed

back to basics

returning to the simple, fundamental principles of an activity

from scratch

from the very beginning, without using anything prepared earlier

get the ball rolling

To start an activity or process.

in the early days

during the beginning stages of something

kick off

to begin an event, meeting, or project

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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