play out v 1: deplete; "exhaust one's savings"; "We quickly played out our strength" [syn: {run down}, {exhaust}, {sap}, {tire}] 2: perform or be performed to the end; "How will the election drama be played out?" 3: play to a finish; "We have got to play this game out, even thought it is clear that we have last" 4: become spent or exhausted; "The champion's strength played out fast"