play tricks

play tricks (third-person singular simple present plays tricks, present participle playing tricks, simple past and past participle played tricks)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see play,‎ tricks.

   The neighbour's children keep playing tricks on each other.

2. Of one's eyes, mind, etc.: to deceive or mislead one.

   Is that man naked, or are my eyes playing tricks on me?

   • 1994, Green Day (lyrics and music), “Basket Case”, in Dookie:

     Sometimes I give myself the creeps / Sometimes my mind plays tricks on me

• trick plays