play someone like a violin
To control or manipulate someone, especially by playing on their emotions.
violin
/ˌvaɪ.əˈlɪn/
noun 3verb 1
Collocations
4(noun.)
ADJ
muted
VERB + VIOLIN
tune (up)
VIOLIN + NOUN
bow, string
family
The viola and cello both belong to the violin family of string instruments.
Definitions
noun
1
A small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin and played with a bow.
When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like this, it's a violin.
She was looking more like Sherlock Holmes than ever. Slap a dressing-gown on her and give her a violin, and she could have walked straight into Baker Street and no questions asked.
2
Any instrument of the violin family, always inclusive of violins, violas and cellos, and sometimes further including the double bass.
The string quartet, one of the most popular groupings in chamber music, is composed entirely of violins: two violins proper, one viola, and one cello.
3
A violinist in an orchestra or group.
The violins are seated with sufficient elbow room.
She is first violin in the London Symphony Orchestra.
verb
1
To play on, or as if on, a violin.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun — bowed stringed instrument that is the highest member of the
Antonyms
Idioms & Phrases
Example Bank
601
When I play it like this, it's a fiddle; when I play it like this, it's a violin.
Wiktionary02
She was looking more like Sherlock Holmes than ever. Slap a dressing-gown on her and give her a violin, and she could have walked straight into Baker Street and no questions asked.
Wiktionary03
The string quartet, one of the most popular groupings in chamber music, is composed entirely of violins: two violins proper, one viola, and one cello.
Wiktionary04
You should practice playing the violin every day.
Tatoeba · #1643505
Playing the violin requires much practice.
Tatoeba · #3554806
Who is the man playing the violin?
Tatoeba · #35549Usage Notes
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