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play possum

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Medical, Legal, Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
play possum
Fig. to pretend to be inactive, unobservant, asleep, or dead. (The possum refers to an opossum.) I knew that Bob wasn't asleep. He was just playing possum. I can't tell if this animal is dead or just playing possum.
See also: play

play possum
to pretend to be dead or sleeping so that someone will not annoy or attack you I don't think he's really asleep. He's playing possum.
See also: play

play possum
to pretend to be dead or sleeping His younger sister jumped on him because she knew he was just playing possum.
Usage notes: usually done so that someone will not annoy or attack you
Etymology: from the habit of a possum ( or opossum, a small wild animal) of not moving when in danger
See also: play


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The author survived a bear charge by running; telling the reader about the companion who had to play possum doesn't evoke fear.
 
 
 
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