sham Abraham

idiom

Meaning

To pretend sickness or insanity.

Origin

first recorded 18th c.

First use appears c. 1752. From sham + Abraham man (“a beggar who pretends to be ill”)

Examples

SIMPLE

He is just shamming Abraham to avoid his chores.

CONTEXTUAL

The soldier tried to sham Abraham to escape the dangerous mission, but the doctor saw through the act.

COMPLEX

Fearing the harsh consequences of his crimes, the prisoner began to sham Abraham in hopes of being transferred to a medical facility.

Anchors to