put on an act
Related to put on an act: in droves
put on an act
To pretend that one is or believes something that is not true. The company's president went on and on about how they value every customer's individual experience, but we all know he was just putting on an act as a normal part of PR spin. You don't have to put on an act, Mom—I know our play wasn't very good. It's so silly to me the way soccer players put on an act about being injured any time an opposing player so much as brushes up against them.
See also: act, on, put
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
put on an act
to pretend that one is something other than what one is. Be yourself, Ann. Stop putting on an act. You don't have to put on an act. We accept you the way you are.
See also: act, on, put
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
put on an act
Pretend, especially in order to deceive; also, show off. For example, We were afraid Charlie had hurt himself, but he was just putting on an act, or We know you're a good swimmer-stop putting on an act. [c. 1930]
See also: act, on, put
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
- article
- an article of faith
- pass (someone or something) off (as something else)
- pass off
- any fule kno
- shut (one's) eyes to (something)
- shut eyes to
- shut your eyes to
- shut/close your eyes to something
- a hundred and ten percent