0 to make something seem less important or less bad than it really is: --
Military spokespeople tried to play down the seriousness of the disaster.
1 to say that something is not important, especially because you do not want it to be known publicly: --
Insiders are playing the matter down, stressing the investigation is industry-wide and not specific to their own investment bank.
A Pentagon spokesman was trying to play down the significance of the incident.
The documentary played down the break-up of his first marriage.
It's probably wise to play down your connection with the Communist party.
Although I'm excited, I'm playing down my promotion so that the others don't get jealous.