power play

power play

n.

1. Sports

a. An offensive maneuver in a team game, especially in football, in which a massive concentration of players is applied in a certain area.

b. A situation in ice hockey in which one team has a temporary numerical advantage because the other team has one or more players in the penalty box.

2. A strategic maneuver, as in politics, diplomacy, or business, based on the use or threatened use of power as a means of coercion.

Thesaurus

Noun	1.	power play - an aggressive attempt to compel acquiescence by the concentration or manipulation of power; "she laughed at this sexual power play and walked away" squeeze play, squeeze attempt, effort, try, endeavor, endeavour - earnest and conscientious activity intended to do or accomplish something; "made an effort to cover all the reading material"; "wished him luck in his endeavor"; "she gave it a good try"
	2.	power play - a play in which there is a concentration of players in one location on the field of play; "they used a power play to return the kickoff" American football, American football game - a game played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field 100 yards long; teams try to get possession of the ball and advance it across the opponents goal line in a series of (running or passing) plays football play - (American football) a play by the offensive team
	3.	power play - (ice hockey) a play in which one team has a numerical advantage over the other as a result of penalties; "the team was unable to capitalize on the power play" hockey game, ice hockey, hockey - a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents' goal with angled sticks play - a preset plan of action in team sports; "the coach drew up the plays for her team"