играть на публику

• ИГРАТЬ <РАБОТАТЬ coll> НА ПУБЛИКУ{{}}

[VP; subj: human]

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⇒ to behave consciously in an unnatural or not entirely appropriate manner in order to make a certain impression on those observing:

- X играл на публику{{}}≈ X played to his (an) audience;

- X kept (had) one eye on the gallery;

- X put on a show (for s.o.).