Crossword Genius

Emphasise trouble (4,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

play up

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This might be a double definition.

'emphasise' is the first definition.
(playing up is a kind of emphasizing)

'trouble' is the second definition.
Although both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form, I don't understand how they can define each other.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for play up that I've seen before include "Be painful - misbehave" , "Cause problems" , "(Equipment) start malfunctioning" , "make too much of a story" , "Emphasise the importance" .)

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