act/play the fool
act the fool
1. To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. If you continue to act the fool, you're going to have to leave the classroom. Joe never acts the fool—he's always serious.
2. To behave irresponsibly or immaturely, especially in an environment where it is especially inappropriate. Don't let me catch any of you kids acting the fool at the museum—it's a privilege to even go inside. We finally get invited to a nice dinner party and you have to go and act the fool—what's wrong with you?
See also: act, fool
play the fool
To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. Joe never plays the fool—he's always serious. If you continue to play the fool, you're going to have to leave the classroom.
See also: fool, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
play the fool
Fig. to act in a silly manner in order to amuse other people. The teacher told Tom to stop playing the fool and sit down. Fred likes playing the fool, but we didn't find him funny last night.
See also: fool, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
play the fool
Act in a silly or stupid way, as in Helen deliberately played the fool so they wouldn't realize she understood their strategy. [First half of 1500s]
See also: fool, play
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
act/play the ˈfool
behave in a stupid way to make people laugh, especially in a way that may also annoy them: It’s impossible to have a decent game of tennis with Frank — he acts the fool the whole time. If you played the fool in class a little less and worked a bit harder, you could do quite well.In the past, a fool was a man employed by a king or queen to entertain people by telling jokes, singing songs, etc.
See also: act, fool, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- act the fool
- act the maggot
- maggot
- act/play the goat
- act the goat
- play the goat
- do unto others
- act your age
- Act your age!
- act (one's) age