A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

at play • in play
at play —
1
. playing games: It’s a bit like watching children
at play, creating an imaginative world that they believe in com-
pletely. 2. engaged in gambling (playing cards, etc.): This gen-
tleman has been at play at that there gaming-house over the
way.
in play —
1
. said of smth. done for amusement and not in-
tended to be taken seriously: Don’t be offended; I only said it
in play. 2. said of factors actively involved or having influence:
Mighty forces are in play in the present round of negotiations.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase in full play—in full action or operation; acting with full
force: A desperate fight was going on … the rebel batteries
were in full play.
at present • in the present
at present—right now; at this time (of a situation that might
be temporary): John lives in London, but at present he is on
holiday abroad.
in the present—said of a period of time we are living in: She
thinks the world has always been the way it is now, in the
present. She probably thinks that George Washington com-
municated with Thomas Jefferson by email.
Note: 
The expression does not correlate in meaning with the
phrase for the present— for the time being; for now: We have
enough butter for the present, though we may have to buy
some more next week.
at quiet • on the quiet
at quiet—at peace; in a state of calm or repose: The lives of
the poor people arrested were saved, and the country remained
at quiet.
on the quiet—said of smth. done privately or in secret: If
you are engaged and have got married on the quiet then there
is nothing to be ashamed of.