underactv.
/ˌʌndərˈakt/, U.S. /ˌəndərˈæk(t)/ transitive. To perform inefficiently or inadequately; spec. to act (a part) insufficiently.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > failure or lack of success > fail in [verb (transitive)] > do less than expected or required
underact1646
underdo1713
underbuild1847
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > acting > act [verb (transitive)] > act in specific manner
misact1609
tragedize1755
overact1760
overplay1767
to walk through ——1824
underact1847
to play down to ——1880
routine1897
underplay1897
milk1921
ham1933
hoke1935
to camp it up1957
to play for laughs (also a laugh)1963
undercharacterize1970
1646 G. Buck Hist. Life Richard III i. 9 Faulconbridge was appointed Admirall, with Commission to take or sinke all Ships he met;..who did not under act it, but made many depredations on the Coasts.
1775 J. Ash New Dict. Eng. Lang. Underact.., to perform in a manner below what is required or expected.
1847 W. C. Macready Reminisc. (1875) II. 293 The play was so under~acted by the people engaged in it, that it broke down under their weight.
1899 Daily News 4 Dec. 6/6 It was reserved for Mr. Coghlan to underact the part.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1921; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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