to tear a (the) cat: to play the part of a roistering hero; to rant and bluster: cf. tear-cat adj. n. at tear-, comb._form affix 2. Obsolete.

Theatre. to top one's part, to play one's part to its utmost possibilities or to perfection; also, to transcend the character assigned to one; trans…

intransitive. To rehearse a dance at a walking pace (cf. sense 16d); (of an actor) to rehearse a part or scene slowly; (hence) to give a lacklustre…

intransitive. Of an actor: to forget one's lines; = dry, v. 2d; to spoil one's performance by being confused or made to laugh by one's colleagues.

To proceed in a sketchy manner. (Cf. sketch, n. 4.)

Theatre. To underact (a part); to perform with deliberate restraint. Also figurative. intransitive.

intransitive. to play for laughs (also a laugh): to try to make the audience laugh.

intransitive. To make an impression, have an effect; esp. to make the intended impression. Frequently with on, upon, with.

intransitive to dominate a performance, either by inadvertently outshining the other performers, or by intentionally becoming the centre of…