playing the fool

[ˈpleɪɪŋ ðə ˈfuːl]

verb phrase

fazer-se de bobo

1. Pretending to be stupid or ignorant; feigning lack of understanding or knowledge

He was playing the fool when he pretended not to understand the instructions.

Ele estava fazendo-se de bobo quando fingiu não entender as instruções.

2. Acting silly or ridiculous intentionally for entertainment or to avoid responsibility

Stop playing the fool and answer my question seriously.

Pare de fazer-se de bobo e responda minha pergunta com seriedade.

NYC Slang

clowning around

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

fazer-se de bobo

Most common expression in Brazilian Portuguese

Rio de Janeiro

fazer-se de malandrão

Colloquial variant with local flavor

São Paulo

fazer-se de inocente

Alternative expression meaning to play innocent

Portugal

fingir-se de tolo

Portuguese standard expression

acting the goat

fooling around

playing dumb

pulling someone's leg

making a fool of oneself

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