Act/play the fool
verb
To behave in a silly or foolish way, especially to make people laugh.
Don't act the fool – it's a serious occasion.
Often appears as...
- don't act the fool
- stop acting the fool
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To act in a way that makes you appear less intelligent or serious than you really are.
She was just playing the fool when she said she couldn't understand the instructions.
Often appears as...
- she's playing the fool
- stop playing the fool
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To behave in a silly or foolish way, especially to make people laugh.
Don't act the fool – it's a serious occasion.
Often appears as...
- don't act the fool
- stop acting the fool
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To act in a way that makes you appear less intelligent or serious than you really are.
She was just playing the fool when she said she couldn't understand the instructions.
Often appears as...
- she's playing the fool
- stop playing the fool
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Correct Occasion
Use 'act the fool' in casual settings, not formal ones where serious behavior is expected.
At the party, he decided to act the fool to make the kids laugh.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Insulting
'Act the fool' isn't normally used to insult someone, but to describe playful behavior.
She acted the fool in the play, making funny faces at the audience.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Derision
It often implies someone is willingly being silly to entertain others without feeling embarrassed.
Despite being the CEO, at the company picnic he acted the fool in the dunk tank.
Pro Tip 1/3Correct Occasion
Use 'act the fool' in casual settings, not formal ones where serious behavior is expected.
At the party, he decided to act the fool to make the kids laugh.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Insulting
'Act the fool' isn't normally used to insult someone, but to describe playful behavior.
She acted the fool in the play, making funny faces at the audience.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Derision
It often implies someone is willingly being silly to entertain others without feeling embarrassed.
Despite being the CEO, at the company picnic he acted the fool in the dunk tank.
Pro Tip 1/3Correct Occasion
Use 'act the fool' in casual settings, not formal ones where serious behavior is expected.
At the party, he decided to act the fool to make the kids laugh.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Insulting
'Act the fool' isn't normally used to insult someone, but to describe playful behavior.
She acted the fool in the play, making funny faces at the audience.
Pro Tip 3/3Self-Derision
It often implies someone is willingly being silly to entertain others without feeling embarrassed.
Despite being the CEO, at the company picnic he acted the fool in the dunk tank.
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