English Dictionary

play possum

verb

(idiomatic) To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lie low. / (idiomatic) To feign sleep, illness, etc.

The cat decided to play possum when it saw the dog approaching.

意味（1）

(idiomatic) To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lie low.

Thinking fast, we played possum, hoping the bear wouldn't bother us.

意味（2）

(idiomatic) To feign sleep, illness, etc.

When we used to get home late at night, I would play possum so my daddy would carry me inside and put me in bed.

意味（3）

(idiomatic, dated) To dissemble or to feign ignorance; to disguise or conceal something in order to deceive.

Though, as it afterwards turned out, the Yankee had money enough about him, and was merely playing the ’possum all the while.