play out

verb plays out · playing out · played out

1. transitive To play (a game etc.) to its conclusion. Newcastle and Blackburn played out a goalless draw in a game that the Magpies dominated at Ewood Park.
2. transitive To play music to accompany the end of, or as a final segment in (a programme, broadcast etc.). And now, to play us out, please welcome Tom Waits.
3. intransitive To occur or develop in a certain manner. Let's keep our heads down for a little while and see how things play out.
4. transitive To feed (rope, cord, etc.) so as to allow more length or slackness. I sat at the top of the cliff and played out the rope as she descended.
5. Europe, intransitive, transitive To compete in a play-out; to compete against (an opponent) in a play-out.
6. To die. "I doubt if you could stand the trip," the major said coolly. "You might play out." Mitchell forgot that he was a petitioner. "Play out?" he shouted. "I rode ninety miles and crawled ten with a broken leg one time. I didn't play out!"