play the fool

Pretend to be dim

To play the fool is to act silly, clownish, or deliberately stupid—often for entertainment or to deflect serious engagement: Stop playing the fool and answer the question.

The phrase can describe genuine buffoonery or a calculated pose of ignorance.

Someone who plays the fool may be wiser than they appear.

comedic

clown

Comedic performer in makeup

jesterRoyal household comedian
buffoonLudicrous, clumsy fool
comedianProfessional humor performer

harlequin · slapstick · farce · pantomime · mugging · ham · antics · tomfoolery · buffoonery · pratfall

deceptive

feign

Pretend to have

pretendAct as though
dissembleConceal one's motives
bluffCalculated false front

sham · masquerade · act · dissimulate · pose · charade · put-on · ruse · guise · front

reckless

irresponsible

Lacking sense of duty

carelessInattentive, prone to mistakes
rashHeedless or skin irritation
imprudentLacking careful forethought

heedless · thoughtless · unwise · reckless · silly · frivolous · immature · childish · giddy · scatterbrained

Opposites

behavioral authenticity

play the foolbe oneself

Act without pretense

act naturally · play it straight · be authentic · show one's true colors · stand on ceremony

projected competence

play the foolshow off

Boast through display

social seriousness

play the foolact one's age

Behave befitting your years

stand on ceremony

Family

play, fool, player, playful, foolish, playing, played, fooled, players

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G