play dead
Imitate a corpse
Play dead is to lie motionless, pretending to be dead.
Animals do this instinctively to avoid predators; dogs learn it as a trick.
People play dead to survive attacks or avoid confrontation: She played dead until the shooter left.
Figuratively, to play dead is to remain passive or unresponsive when action is expected: The committee played dead on the proposal.
Pretend to have
- pretendAct as though
- simulateImitate through modeling
- performanceCarrying out a task
- roleplayAdopt another's perspective
drama · mime · charade · impersonation · stage · theatrical · scene · method acting
Not the real thing
- shamFraudulent imitation
- ruseDeliberate act of deception
- bluffCalculated false front
- misleadCause false belief
fool · trick · deceit · guile · subterfuge · con · dissimulate · hoodwink
Organism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
- opossumAmerican pouch-bearing mammal
- instinctInnate behavioral tendency
stillness · immobility · evasion · escape · camouflage · protection · self-preservation · animal behavior
feign
Pretend to have
- pretendAct as though
- simulateImitate through modeling
- performanceCarrying out a task
roleplay · drama · mime · charade · impersonation · stage · theatrical · scene · method acting · convincing
fake
Not the real thing
mislead · fool · trick · deceit · guile · subterfuge · con · dissimulate · hoodwink · deceive
predator
Organism that consumes others
- preyAnimal being hunted
- defense mechanismUnconscious self-protective mental process
- opossumAmerican pouch-bearing mammal
instinct · stillness · immobility · evasion · escape · camouflage · protection · self-preservation · animal behavior · reflex
command
Authoritative instruction given
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- obedienceCompliance with authority
- dog trickTaught canine behavior
rollover · fetch · stay · sit · heel · shake · speak · reward · treat · handler
prank
Playful trick on someone
- jokeHumorous statement seeking laughter
- gagMouth restraint or jest
- slapstickExaggerated physical humor
comedy · farce · bit · funny · spoof · silly · stunt · antic · laughs · physical comedy
- dog trainingdown, come, wait, treats, quiet
- tricksmagic trick, card trick, card tricks, coin trick, rope trick
- animal behaviorsswimming, running, walking, jumping, flying
- pet posesloaf, sploot, sit, sitting, standing
- doing nothingdo nothing, stand still, sit tight, stay put, keep still
- trickerytrick, deceive, mislead, hoax, ruse
play deadspring to life
Become suddenly active
come alive · leap into action · move around · thrash about · jump up
play deadfight back
Oppose an attacker
resist · flee · run away · stand one's ground · attack
play deadtake action
Begin doing something
engage · get involved · participate · fight back · stand up
play, player, deadly, playful, playing, played, players, deaden, replay