What is the meaning of Play_off?

To portray (something) (as unimportant); to dismiss or make light of (a factor in a situation, or one's embarrassment about it); to pretend not to be embarrassed, upset, impressed, or otherwise affected by (it).

To set (other people) against one another: to induce competition between them, especially in a covert way so that they do not realize the degree to which they have been played (manipulated).

To compete in a play-off; to compete against (an opponent) in a play-off.

To display; to show; to put in exercise.

Source: wiktionary.org