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play detective vs play the detective

Both 'play detective' and 'play the detective' are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Play detective' is a more common and idiomatic expression used when someone is trying to solve a mystery or investigate something without being an actual detective. On the other hand, 'play the detective' is used when someone is pretending to be a specific detective character from a story or movie.

Last updated: March 22, 2024

play detective

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone is trying to solve a mystery or investigate something without being an actual detective.

Examples:

She loves to play detective and solve puzzles in her free time.
Let's play detective and figure out who ate the last piece of cake.
He decided to play detective and investigate the strange noises coming from the attic.

Show examples from the web [+]

I confess, the temptation to play detective was a little too strong.
Now we got two guys in here who like to play detective.
You want me to play detective?
Want to play detective, Father?
If you're going to play detective, I'd prefer you find my car.
You sit here and you play detective.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to play detective today, but I know somebody perfect.
I'll play detective Bart Barley...
You're not the only one to play detective.
An enthralling board game, in which we are required to play detective.
So I hired you to play detective to get rid of him.
You mind if I play detective?
But then she said, How about I go play detective
If you really want to play detective, Doyle,
And she used you to play Detective Rollins.
How about I play Detective this time, give you and Patrick a hand?

Alternatives:

act as a detective
pretend to be a detective
take on the role of a detective
engage in detective work
solve mysteries

play the detective

This phrase is correct but less commonly used in English.

This phrase is used when someone is pretending to be a specific detective character from a story or movie.

Examples:

She likes to play the detective from her favorite mystery novel.
He enjoys playing the detective in the murder mystery game.
Let's play the detective from the Sherlock Holmes series.

Show examples from the web [+]

Don't play the detective on me.
There's no evidence of foul play, so the detective just closed the case.
There's no evidence of foul play, so the detective just closed the case.
He inspired my short play "The Fishy Detective."
AND NOW LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THE STATE OF PLAY IN THE DETECTIVE SKETCH.
And she used you to play Detective Rollins.
I'll play detective Bart Barley...
Where everyday play detectives and resolve every crime by dinner time.
You're not the only one to play detective.
I confess, the temptation to play detective was a little too strong.
An enthralling board game, in which we are required to play detective.
So I hired you to play detective to get rid of him.
Want to play detective, Father?
Now we got two guys in here who like to play detective.
You sit here and you play detective.
Unfortunately, I'm unable to play detective today, but I know somebody perfect.
You want me to play detective?
If you're going to play detective, I'd prefer you find my car.
Do you still see yourself, a child who plays detective.
You mind if I play detective?

Alternatives:

act as the detective
pretend to be the detective
take on the role of the detective
emulate a detective character
role-play as a detective

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