The term 'play for a fool' can be broken down into four crossword solutions: DELUDE (6 letters), SCAM (4 letters), USE (3 letters), and DUPE (4 letters). DELUDE means to mislead or deceive someone, while SCAM is a fraudulent scheme. To USE something is to take advantage of it, and DUPE is another word for fool or victim. All together, the phrase 'play for a fool' implies that someone is trying to deceive or manipulate another person for their own gain.