power play

power play

n.

1. Sports

a. A situation in ice hockey, lacrosse, and certain other sports in which one team has a temporary numerical advantage because the other team has had one or more players removed from play on account of a penalty.

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

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

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

power play

or

powerplay

n

1. (Psychology) behaviour or tactics intended to magnify a person's influence or power

2. (General Sporting Terms) the use of brute strength or force of numbers in order to achieve an objective

3. (General Sporting Terms) esp ice hockey a period when one team has more players taking part than their opponents, usually as a result of a penalty for foul play

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

pow′er play`

n.

1. Football. an aggressive running play in which numerous offensive players clear a path for the ballcarrier.

2. Ice Hockey.

a. a situation in which one team has a temporary numerical advantage because an opposing player or players are in the penalty box.

b. the offensive strategy of the team having such an advantage.

3. a maneuver, as in business, in which advantage is sought through the use of power or influence.

[1960–65]

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

power play

This occurs when a team sends all its players except the goalie in a drive against the opponents’ goal.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

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"

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.