Play possum
verb
To pretend to be unconscious or asleep.
When I tried to wake him for school, he played possum and wouldn't get up.
Often appears as...
- play possum and hide
- play possum to avoid
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To avoid doing something by pretending not to understand or be aware of it.
He played possum when his parents asked him about his homework.
Often appears as...
- play possum when asked
- play possum to evade
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In animals, to pretend to be dead, as a defense mechanism.
The possum played possum when it sensed the predator nearby.
Often appears as...
- possum plays possum
- animal plays possum
verb
To pretend to be unconscious or asleep.
When I tried to wake him for school, he played possum and wouldn't get up.
Often appears as...
- play possum and hide
- play possum to avoid
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To avoid doing something by pretending not to understand or be aware of it.
He played possum when his parents asked him about his homework.
Often appears as...
- play possum when asked
- play possum to evade
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
In animals, to pretend to be dead, as a defense mechanism.
The possum played possum when it sensed the predator nearby.
Often appears as...
- possum plays possum
- animal plays possum
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Deception Play
Used to trick others into thinking you're not awake or aware to avoid interaction.
During the boring lecture, he played possum to not get called on.
Pro Tip 2/3Childish Strategy
Often a method children use to avoid chores or responsibilities.
She played possum to dodge cleaning her room.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literally Asleep
Remember, it just mimics sleep; there's no actual sleeping involved.
He wasn't napping, just played possum when I came in.
Pro Tip 1/3Deception Play
Used to trick others into thinking you're not awake or aware to avoid interaction.
During the boring lecture, he played possum to not get called on.
Pro Tip 2/3Childish Strategy
Often a method children use to avoid chores or responsibilities.
She played possum to dodge cleaning her room.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literally Asleep
Remember, it just mimics sleep; there's no actual sleeping involved.
He wasn't napping, just played possum when I came in.
Pro Tip 1/3Deception Play
Used to trick others into thinking you're not awake or aware to avoid interaction.
During the boring lecture, he played possum to not get called on.
Pro Tip 2/3Childish Strategy
Often a method children use to avoid chores or responsibilities.
She played possum to dodge cleaning her room.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literally Asleep
Remember, it just mimics sleep; there's no actual sleeping involved.
He wasn't napping, just played possum when I came in.
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