Meanings
to make something seem less important or serious than it is.
کسی چیز کو اس سے کم اہم یا سنجیدہ دکھانا جو وہ حقیقت میں ہے۔
کم کرنا
kam karna
Antonyms
Common Collocations
- downplay the risks
- downplay the importance
- downplay an achievement
Example Sentences
She tried to downplay the severity of the situation.
اس نے صورتحال کی سنگینی کو کم کرنے کی کوشش کی۔
Us ne soorat-e-haal ki sangini ko kam karne ki koshish ki.
It's easy to downplay the impact of small changes.
چھوٹی تبدیلیوں کے اثرات کو کم کرنا آسان ہے۔
Chhoti tabdeeliyon ke asraat ko kam karna aasaan hai.
He downplayed his achievements in the meeting.
اس نے میٹنگ میں اپنی کامیابیوں کو کم کیا۔
Us ne meeting mein apni kamiyabiyon ko kam kiya.
Easily Confused With
Word Family
See Also
💡 Memory Tip
Think of 'down' as reducing and 'play' as presenting. Together, they represent reducing the importance of what is presented.
Imagine a person whispering about an achievement to make it seem less impressive.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
خاموش میخانے میں ہوں، میں کم نہیں ہوں پُر خمار، نظروں سے کچھ کم، سب عشق ہے بیچدار۔
Khamosh mekhane mein hun, main kam nahin hun pur khumar, Nazron se kuch kam, sab ishq hai beechdar.
In the silent tavern, I am not less in intoxication, Less in the eyes, all is love in between.
— Unknown, Unverified
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
چوپای کو بڑا دکھا کر چھوٹا کیا جائے۔
Chopay ko bara dikhakar chhota kiya jaye.
A creature is made small by showing it large.
📖 Etymology
Origin: English "down + play" — to make something seem less important than it is
First known use: 1981
The term combines 'down,' implying reduction, and 'play,' suggesting presentation or performance, emerging in the late 20th century.