play the goat

play the goat

To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. Joe never plays the goat—he's always serious. If you continue to play the goat, you're going to have to leave the classroom.
See also: goat, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play (or act) the (giddy) goat

fool around; act irresponsibly. informal
See also: goat, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

act/play the ˈgoat

(informal) deliberately behave in a silly or foolish way: Stop acting the goat or I’ll send you out. I’m warning you.
See also: act, goat, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • act the goat
  • act/play the goat
  • act the fool
  • act/play the fool
  • act the maggot
  • maggot
  • get goat
  • get one's goat
  • get somebody's goat
  • get someone’s goat
References in periodicals archive
It's unbecoming for them to clown and play the goat at the end of a news segment.
When chitchat between TV news anchors is not so funny or cute
Europe's reaction to this new reality brings to mind Stevie, the heroine from Edward Albee's play The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?
Forget Trump, Europe should defend itself
This was the opening night of play The Goat. I played an old friend of Damian's, who confesses to me that he's having an affair with a goat, as you do.
It had no plot, I was told, 'Get your bum out and act normal' Actor, Jason Hughes, 46, on gratuitous nudity, his iconic roles and why being starstruck never helps
This was the opening night of the play The Goat My character was an old school friend of Damian's, and he confesses to me that he's been having an affair with a goat, as you do.
JASON HUGHES 'there was no plot, they just told me to get my bum out' The actor, 46, on gratuitous nudity, his iconic roles and why being starstruck never helps
TALKING MUSIC: legend etty o ive t Tom Robinson, of 2-4-6-8 Motorway fame, plays at the Space Theatre next Friday while Americana band Spirit Family Reunion play the Goat's Toe the following night.
SINGING BY THE SEA; BANGOR OPEN HOUSE FESTIVAL BOASTS ANOTHER GREAT LINE-UP
Also in May, American playwright Edward Albee visited Bulgaria for preparations for his play The Goat or Who is Sylvia.
Art as envoy: US artist Sigel Bussel's journey to Sofia is a new highlight of the American embassy's engagement with art in Bulgaria
"In the play the goat says, 'What can't man extend his compassion to?' This idea that the audience can not only care about the human characters, but care about this goat that's not even a goat, just a mock-up of a goat--that is hugely comforting for what our potential is."
Portland, Ore.: goat song
Staged at London's Almeida Theatre, it will be the British premiere of Edward Albee's Tony Award-winning play The Goat, which is subtitled Who Is Sylvia?
Pryce in controversial new role
'I always liked to play the goat, so why change now?
The Open - THE ORIGINAL MAD MAX; An Open winner long before Tiger Woods was born with a character to match the merciless American's talent, meet..