secondary action or talking carried on apart while the main action proceeds, esp in a play
by-play in American English
(ˈbaiˌplei)
noun
an action or speech carried on to the side while the main action proceeds, esp. on the stage
Also: byplay
Word origin
[1805–15]This word is first recorded in the period 1805–15. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: alpaca, backlash, diminishing returns, platinum, soufflé
All related terms of 'by-play'
play-by-play
(of a sports commentary ) reporting details of every phase of the match as its happens
play by ear
to act according to the demands of a situation rather than to a plan ; improvise
play it by ear
to deal with things as they happen , rather than following a plan or previous arrangement
to play it by ear
If you play it by ear , you decide what to say or do in a situation by responding to events rather than by following a plan which you have decided on in advance.
play (a piece of music) by ear
If you play by ear or play a piece of music by ear , you play music by relying on your memory rather than by reading printed music.