act 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
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

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
See also:
  • act/play the fool
  • maggot
  • act the maggot
  • act the goat
  • act/play the goat
  • play the goat
  • do unto others
  • act one's age
  • act your age
  • Act your age!
References in periodicals archive
'I loved competing in the drama competitions - any excuse to act the fool! I won the Under-15 Best Actress competition one year.
Event which nurtures talent, boosts confidence and is just great fun
It seems certain cows have forgotten what they were put on this earth for and, after a very long holiday, happily grazing with no sign of mental health problem, these oven-shy malingerers have suddenly decided to "act the fool" to avoid returning to their proper workplace - the Great British dinner plate.
Johnny Vaughan's Column: Mad cow? Udder rot!
Founder Richard Curtis says it brightens up the most miserable time of year - "too long since Christmas, too far from the holidays, and near enough to April Fool's Day so we can act the fool!"
Winner by a nose
I get the The Scotland captain can act the fool with the best of them but when it's game time he's got his head screwed on and tonight Brown will be deadly serious.
STARE WAY TO HEAVEN; DUBLIN D-DAY IRELAND V SCOTLAND, 5PM, SKY SPORTS Broonie will look right through Celtic pals Aiden and Robbie just like he did with best mate Kevin
The Scotland captain may act the fool but when it's game time, he has his head screwed on.
BROONIE'S BLANKETY BLANK; IRELAND v SCOTLAND Group D: Tonight, 5pm Scott is staring down a vital Euro victory
The hosts are accountable, keep the idiots in-line and you'll be summarily uninvited if you act the fool.
New forum for gun/knife people
PARENTS and children are being invited to act the fool in Bedworth - for one night only.
You'd be foolish not to join in