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

planetarium theater • planetary house
planetarium theater —a building housing an instrument for
projecting the positions of the stars and planets onto a domed
ceiling: See stars and constellations on the dome of our plan-
etarium theater; use a star chart to find stars in the sky.
planetary house —(Astrolog y) one of 
1
2 equal areas (constel-
lations) into which the zodiac is divided: One of the first pub-
lished tests of natal astrology tested the thesis that planetary
house locations were related to a person’s career path.
plastic bomb • plastic bullet
plastic bomb —a bomb containing plastic explosive : In
France there were plastic bomb attacks, directed mainly against
liberal politicians and journalists.
plastic bullet—a projectile made of plastic material, used by
security forces in riot control: New devices for riot control,
including a plastic bullet, have been issued to the Army.
play a love game • play for love
play a love game —said when smb.’s attitude to matters of
love is not serious enough: She is afraid that you’re playing a
love game instead of being serious.
play for love —(also: play for fun) play cards, etc. without
stakes: The Parson did not like card games played for money,
but he was willing to play for love.
See also: love game / love play.
play a part • play the part
play a part—
1
. be involved in smth. and have an effect on
it: Biochemistry may be defined as the study of the chemical
processes which play a part in the life phenomena of plants
and animals. 2. impersonate smb. such as a stage character:
These pages contain top-secret materials about Bondiana —
about the actors, who played a part of Bond. 3. deliberately
behave in a way that hides one’s real character or feelings: It’s
enough to make a man bughouse when he has to play a part
from morning to night.