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1. To play a game in which the wagers are kept by the winner at the end. We're playing for keeps here, so don't bet anything you can't live without. 2. To do something with a great amount of seriousness because the outcome will be permanent or have a major impact.
Jul 14, 2023 · Learn the meaning and origin of the idiom "playing for keeps", which means being fully committed and determined to succeed in a situation with severe consequences. See examples, variations, and pop culture references of this phrase.
Playing for keeps means doing something seriously rather than for fun; keeping something permanently. Learn the origin of this idiom from the game of marbles and see how to use it in different contexts.
Learn the meaning and usage of the phrase "play for keeps", which can mean to do something with permanent effect or to be serious in one's actions. See examples, synonyms and related expressions from various sources.
Learn the meaning and origin of the idiom "playing for keeps", which means to be serious and try hard. See examples of how to use this phrase in different contexts and compare it with similar expressions.
to do something seriously and without showing any mercy. These girls play for keeps. See full dictionary entry for keeps. Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers. Examples of 'play for keeps' in a sentence. play for keeps.
Playing for keeps describes someone’s intent to participate to the fullest and to play with intense commitment, with the intention of retaining or achieving something valuable or permanent. Basically, it’s like saying, “If I’m going to do this, I’m going to do it right; I’m all in.”
