Last Updated：2025/11/21

(idiomatic) To behave in a foolish or comical manner. / (idiomatic) To pretend/feign ignorance.

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play the fool

Source Word

play the fool

Verb

idiomatic

(idiomatic) To behave in a foolish or comical manner. / (idiomatic) To pretend/feign ignorance.

Japanese Meaning

馬鹿の振りをする / おどけた、ふざけた振る舞いをする

During the meeting, he chose to play the fool to ease the tension and made everyone smile.

会議中、彼は緊張を和らげるためにおどけてみせて、皆を笑顔にした。

Sense（1）

(idiomatic) To behave in a foolish or comical manner.

Back in school again Maxwell plays the fool again.

Teacher gets annoyed

Sense（2）

(idiomatic) To pretend/feign ignorance.

plays the fool

（ present singular third-person ）

playing the fool

（ participle present ）

played the fool

（ participle past ）

played the fool

（ past ）