playing down
phrasal verbUK /ˌpleɪɪŋ ˈdaʊn/
US /ˌpleɪɪŋ ˈdaʊn/
Making something seem smaller or less important than it really is.
She kept playing down her role in the project, even though everyone knew she did most of the work.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Making a problem or illness seem less serious than it is.
He was playing down his injury so he could stay in the game.
3. Speaking about something in a calm way to avoid worry or excitement.
The coach was playing down the team's chances before the big match.
4. Reducing the importance of someone's achievements or feelings.
Stop playing down what your sister accomplished; she worked hard for it.
5. Making a sound or volume quieter in a performance or recording.
The sound engineer was playing down the background music during the speech.