Meaning & use
playing possum
Last updated
“playing possum” is a form of “play possum”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
phraseidiomfigurative
pretending to be asleep, dead, or unaware in order to avoid danger or attention.
Grammar: Used as a verb phrase; the base form is play possum: The animal plays possum.
Patterns
- be playing possum
- play possum
The child was playing possum so he wouldn't have to go to school.
When the teacher looked over, she was playing possum with her head on the desk.
The suspect was playing possum, hoping the police would leave.
phraseidiombiology
(of an animal) pretending to be dead as a defense.
Grammar: Often used literally about animals like opossums.
Patterns
- an animal plays possum
- be playing possum
The opossum was playing possum, completely still and limp.
Some insects protect themselves by playing possum.
Word forms
| base form | play possum |
|---|---|
| third person singular | plays possum |
| past tense | played possum |
| past participle | played possum |
Common combinations
- play possum to avoid something
- He played possum to avoid answering questions.
- be playing possum
- Don't trust him; he's just playing possum.
- like an opossum playing possum
- She lay still, like an opossum playing possum.
Synonyms and how they differ
- feign sleep
- Formal and only about sleep, not about death or danger.
- pretend to be dead
- A plain phrase; playing possum is more idiomatic and often suggests avoiding a problem.
Word family
Commonly confused: playing possum or playing opossum?
playing possum vs playing opossum
This is less common; the standard idiom is playing possum.
Practice
When the dog barked, the opossum lay still, ______.
Choose one answer.
The sentence needs the -ing form to describe the opossum's ongoing action: playing possum. Play possum is the base form; played possum is past tense; plays possum is third person singular.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “playing possum”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.