Play a prank on Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈeɪ/, /ə/ /ˈpɹæŋk/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn

PLAY uh PRANK on

UK

plˈeɪ/ /æɪ/ /pɹˈæŋk/ /ˈɒn

PLAY uh PRANK on

Definition

To trick or tease someone as a joke, usually for fun and not to hurt anyone.

Usage & Nuances

Usually informal and playful. Can be mild or, if too far, may upset someone. Often used as 'play a prank on someone'. Related: 'pull a prank on', 'prank call'. Not the same as 'bully' or 'offend'.

• Spanish: gastar una broma a - hacerle una broma a
• Portuguese (BR): pregar uma peça em
• Portuguese (PT): preparar uma partida a - pregar uma partida a
• Chinese (Simplified): 开玩笑（捉弄某人）
• Chinese (Traditional): 開玩笑（捉弄某人）
• Hindi: किसी पर शरारत करना
• Arabic: يمزح مع (بشكل خدعة)
• Bengali: দুষ্টুমি করা - মজা করা (প্রাঙ্ক করা)
• Russian: разыграть - подшутить (над кем-то)
• Japanese: いたずらを仕掛ける - ドッキリを仕掛ける
• Vietnamese: chơi khăm - trêu chọc (ai đó)
• Korean: 장난을 치다 - 장난을 걸다
• Turkish: şaka yapmak - muziplik yapmak (birine)
• Urdu: شرارت کرنا - مذاق کرنا (کسی کے ساتھ)
• Indonesian: mengusili - menjahili (seseorang)

Example Sentences

They decided to play a prank on their teacher by hiding her chalk.

basic

It's not nice to play a prank on people you don't know.

basic

They played a prank on Jack by putting salt in his coffee.

basic

Every April Fools’ Day, we try to play a prank on our boss.

natural

Who would even think to play a prank on someone at their own wedding?

natural

I can’t believe you actually played a prank on your own brother—that’s risky!

natural