The phrase "plays at" can be used in a variety of ways to describe different activities. Some synonyms for "plays at" include "pretends," "acts," "mimes," "fakes," and "simulates." For example, a child may pretend to be a doctor and play at examining their dolls, or an actor may practice their role by miming the actions of their character. Similarly, an athlete may fake a move to trick their opponent or simulate a game situation during training. These synonyms can add nuance and clarity to the meaning of the phrase "plays at" in different contexts.