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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

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to play possum

play the anglesplay Old Gooseberryplay old harryplay old harryplay onplay outplay onplay second fiddleplay onplay the ball and not the manplay outPlay the Fireplay offplay Old Gooseberry

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    "play possum." Phrases.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 21 Nov. 2024. <https://www.phrases.com/phrase/play-possum_6154>.

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