play at
Verb
Meaning
To pretend to be a different person while playing a game.
So we played at being pirates for a while.
To do something in a manner that lacks seriousness, commitment, or professionalism.
In my opinion, John only plays at being an author. He hasn't sold more than two magazine articles in as many months.
(archaic) To play (a game).
Source: en.wiktionary.orgSynonyms
Examples
When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all.
But war 's a game which were their subjects wise Kings would not play at.
A person who believes, as she did, that things fit: that there is a whole of which one is a part, and that in being a part one is whole: such a person has no desire whatever, at any time, to play God. Only those who have denied their being yearn to play at it.
Man is by instinct a lover, a hunter, a fighter, and none of those instincts are given much play at the warehouse!
Better play at small game than stand out.
Better play at small game than stand out.