Meaning of play against type | Babel Free

Definitions

To behave in a manner that is completely different from what is expected based on one's role.

Examples

“There are several ways that successful salespeople play⟳ against type⟳.”

“There’s always the chance that these rough edges are down to first night nerves – this is a show⟳ reliant on a lot of technology, which can obviously go wrong – or the fact that, as Bono points out, it’s the first U2 gig in 45 years that doesn’t have⟳ Larry Mullen playing the drums. Or, indeed, the fact that U2 are, in effect, playing against type⟳. By their stadium-packing standards, an audience of 18,000 counts as intimate; it doesn’t involve⟳ their special skill of projecting their music to row ZZ in a vast outdoor venue.”

CEFR level