played dumb
Acted unknowing deliberately
Played dumb means pretended not to know or understand something: When the cops asked about the missing money, she played dumb.
The phrase implies strategic ignorance—feigning confusion to avoid responsibility, gain advantage, or deflect unwanted questions.
Someone playing dumb knows more than they're letting on.
- belieContradict in appearance
- pretendedActed falsely
- feignedFalsely displayed or simulated
- shamFraudulent imitation
- passive resistanceOpposing through peaceful noncompliance
avoidance · deception · naivete · none the wiser · impression management · indirect speech · denial · willful ignorance · counterfeit · blank stare · deer in headlights · moral ambiguity · stonewalling · self-preservation · manipulation · dishonesty · defense mechanisms · silence
played dumbbluffed
Deceived through pretense
bullshitted · winged it · put on airs · pontificated · showed off
played dumbspoke up
Expressed oneself aloud
took charge · piped up · weighed in · stepped up · faced the music
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