played stupid
Pretended not knowing
To play stupid is to feign ignorance or incomprehension, usually to avoid responsibility or deflect uncomfortable questions: She played stupid when they asked who broke the vase.
The past tense played stupid describes having already done so: He played stupid during the investigation, claiming he knew nothing about the missing funds.
- pretendingSimulating what isn't real
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- mind gamesPsychological manipulation tactics
- passive-aggressionCovert expression of anger
- self-preservationInstinct to survive danger
plausible deniability · bluffing · poker face · deception · cover story · denial · conflict avoidance · willful ignorance · dodging · deflecting · evasion · masking · rationalization · stalling · impression management · misleading · posturing · avoiding
played stupidshowed off
Displayed ostentatiously
name-dropped · pontificated · put on airs · grandstanded · one-upped
play, played, playing, plays, player, players, playful, playfully, playfulness