Examples: Parent: Tell me the truth, where were you last night? What are you playing at? [ Why are you lying about where you were?] Teenager: I am not playing with the truth. I was helping my friend study for his Math test. [ I am not distorting the truth, I am telling you the truth]

"Play at it" means to try something, but not take it seriously; or to pretend to take something seriously. "He's just playing at tennis to fit it with his friends." "Playing with something" can mean trying new approaches to a problem or project to see what works. Usually there is little or no plan or system. "I still don't have an answer to that math problem. I've been playing with a few solutions, though."