# play the fool

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-the-fool
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To behave in a foolish or comical manner.

## Examples

- He likes to play the fool to make his friends laugh.
- During the meeting, he decided to play the fool to avoid answering the difficult questions.
- Although he was a brilliant scholar, he often chose to play the fool in social settings to deflect unwanted attention from his private life.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.