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play possum

To feign sleep, illness, etc.

Etymology:

  • English play + possum, from the behaviour of the Virginia opossum, feigning death when threatened. First documented 1822.
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“

When we used to get home late at night, I would play possum so my daddy would carry me inside and put me in bed.

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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'play possum':

play possumTo dissemble or to feign ignorance; to disguise or conceal something in order to deceive.
play possumTo feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lay low.
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Nearby phrases

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    "play possum." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 22 Dec. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/play-possum_6154>.

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