play dumb

play dumb

To pretend that one has no or little knowledge (of something); to act ignorant or uninformed (about something). I don't think I'm supposed to know that Rick is getting fired, so I'm just going to play dumb the next time I see him. A: "Did Tammy ask you about my date with Steve?" B: "Yeah, but I played dumb about it. I just couldn't handle more of her drama today."
See also: dumb, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • be at a disadvantage
  • at a disadvantage
  • address (one's) comments to (someone or something)
  • address comments or remarks to
  • address (one's) remarks to (someone or something)
  • be in it for
  • (something) is over (one's) head
  • be more than (something)
  • be more than glad, ready, etc.
  • away from it all
References in periodicals archive
"I was there - and yet I had to play dumb because so very few people knew Vince was going to leave the club for Anderlecht.
Will he play dumb until the referendum passes, then concentrate on the general election?
Ross tried to play dumb when police interrogated him after his former girlfriend was found shot to death and entombed in his McHenry home.
Wright later told his customer he would just play dumb and say 'it wasn't me' if questioned.
A satirical script requires Tom Cruise to play dumb, which isn't easy for the intelligent actor.
A satirical script requires Tom Cruise to play dumb and his clean-cut image means Barry is never seen indulging in any of the cocaine he transported.
Their nasty habit of parking side by side to pick up or wait for passengers, at almost every corner or in the middle of the road, is still a common cause for cursing by those who cannot understand why traffic enforcers continue to play dumb and blind to such brazen disregard of traffic rules.
"Don't play stupid / don't play dumb / vagina's where you're really from!" the women rockers sing in their new song released Tuesday called "Straight Outta Vagina."
Shakil, originally from Burtonon-Trent in Staffordshire but recently of Beechfield Road, Sparkhill, said other women wanted to escape but she decided to "play dumb" and sit tight while she learned the lie of the land.
It is easiest and best when your silence and intentional gaps provide enough room for someone to self-correct, but you can play dumb and still talk, as long as you do not add anything to the conversation that redirects attention back to the offending words.
Just hang out with a lot of rich people and fall in love.' 'Nothing happens when you stay home.' 'Be good or be careful.' 'Drink only one beer at a time.' 'Be careful with the partying, because once you're a pickle, you can't ever be a cucumber again.' 'Don't ever play dumb. A man who doesn't love you for your brain isn't worth your time.' 'If he's not crazy about you before you get married, he definitely won't be afterwards.' 'Enjoy the sights; don't become one.' 'You can choose to be married or you can choose to be single, but you cannot be both at the same time.' 'Stay single!
She said, "Play dumb and pretend you don't know they are talking about you.
"When we were on outdoor shoots, Kaif would strum the guitar and you have no idea about their talent, both play dumb charades really well.
Whenever she is asked to clean her room, however, Chaser seems to play dumb.