Play Possum (Verb)
Meaning
To pretend to be dead.
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- When threatened by the predator, the opossum began to play possum, falling to the ground motionless.
- She covered herself with a blanket and played possum, not wanting to talk to anyone that morning.
- During the game of hide-and-seek, little Emily played possum and remained still behind the couch until her brother gave up searching for her.
- The animal expert explained that opossums have a unique defense mechanism where they play possum to intimidate their predators.
- As soon as the robbers stormed into the house, he instinctively played possum, lying silently on the floor, holding his breath and hoping they would pass by him.