to act like a dingus

9.9

To behave in a foolish, clumsy way that makes people laugh

idiom

Offensive

: hacer el tonto

During the meeting, Tom couldn't stop acting like a dingus and making everyone laugh.

Examples

At the birthday party, he started acting like a dingus by tripping over his own feet and making silly faces.
If you keep acting like a dingus, people might not take you seriously.
She realized she was acting like a dingus when she forgot her own phone number.
Don't act like a dingus at the party!
Why did you act like a dingus yesterday?
If you keep acting like a dingus during class, the teacher will get annoyed with you.
She felt embarrassed for acting like a dingus when she spilled her drink all over herself.

Synonyms

to act a fool

vsto act like a dingus

Informal

3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

is similar but does not require the behaviour to seek attention

to be a buffoon

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

2 8.1

To act in a silly, embarrassing way to make people laugh

covers foolish clumsiness without the sense of performing for others

to be a dolt

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

1 9.4

Act in a foolish way and ignore good advice

is more physical or clumsy foolishness rather than mental dullness

to act like a putz

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

1 9.9

To behave in a silly or clumsy way

focuses more on silly or clumsy behaviour than on incompetence alone

to be a tosser

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is similar but uses neutral language rather than crude slang

to act like a clodpole

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a foolish and clumsy way

is similar but emphasises simple foolishness rather than mainly physical clumsiness

to act like a dodo

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.3

To behave foolishly and show little common sense

is more about physical clumsiness rather than lacking sense

to act like a doylem

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

is less blunt and more general about simple foolish or clumsy acts

to act like a dipstick

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

covers the same basic foolishness but can include mere awkwardness

to act like a dumbo

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

is broader, covering clumsiness as well as simple foolish acts

to act like a buffoon

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

6.8

Behave in a silly, clumsy way to make people laugh at you

is the plain version that need not attract ridicule intentionally

to act like a dorkus

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

is more general foolish or clumsy behaviour without mild ridicule

to act like a tosser

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave rudely or foolishly in a way that annoys others

focuses more on clumsy or silly actions rather than immature intent

to be a chutiya

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a stupid and rude way

is less slangy and simply describes foolish or clumsy acts

to act like an assmunch

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Behave in a rude, annoying, and foolish way toward other people

is less about being irritating and more about plain foolish or clumsy acts

to act like an arseface

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

is focused on awkward or clumsy behaviour without the offensive tone

to act like a douchecanoe

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Behave rudely and selfishly and annoy other people

is similar in foolishness but avoids the extreme irritating or offensive tone

to act like a ditz

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

is more about awkward or clumsy behaviour than absentminded silliness

to act like an airhead

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

8.6

To behave in a silly way without thinking when nervous or tired

is broader, including clumsy actions as well as silly lack of thought

to act like a peabrain

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.6

Behave in a silly, not very smart way

is more about awkward clumsiness as well as lacking sense

to act like a booger brain

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly and immature way

is adult focused foolish or clumsy behaviour rather than childish immaturity

to be a numskull

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.5

To do something silly without thinking

covers clumsy or foolish behaviour that may not be thoughtless

to be a wally

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Act in a silly, embarrassing way

is similar but focuses more on basic clumsiness than embarrassment

to be a booby

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

can also be clumsy or foolish but may be less playful

to be a clipcock

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Act in a foolish or careless way

is broader and can include clumsy foolishness rather than skill failure

to act like a dingleberry

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly or annoying way

is more neutral foolish or clumsy behaviour without added annoyance

to act like a brickhead

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To ignore good advice and behave foolishly

is focused on clumsy or silly acts rather than stubbornness

to act like a barmpot

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly or wild way that makes people laugh

is simpler foolish or clumsy behaviour without strong eccentricity

to be a dink

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a rude or foolish way that annoys other people

is about awkward or clumsy behaviour without necessary irritation

to be a skaapie

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Act in a foolish way because you trust people too easily

is broader and can include clumsy acts not linked to naivety

to act like a scally

vsto act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

To behave in a silly, rude way and break rules

is more about simple clumsy or foolish acts, not loutish behaviour

How Foolish

to act like a dumbo

Offensive

9.6

to act like a dingus

Offensive

9.9

Surface Forms

act like a dingus infinitive

acted like a dingus past

acted like a dingus past participle

acting like a dingus present participle

acts like a dingus third person singular

Morphology

act + like + a + dingus

Although the construction 'act like a X' is compositional, the key lexical item 'dingus' is informal/slang whose listed sense is 'gadget' or placeholder rather than 'fool.' An average B1 learner who knows the constituent meanings would not derive 'behave foolishly' from 'act' + 'like' + 'a' + 'dingus,' so the overall meaning is idiomatic and unpredictable without colloquial exposure.

Etymology

Act like a dingus comes from the informal word dingus, a playful name for a silly person or a useless little thing; imagine someone who trips, drops things, and says awkward things. So, to act like a dingus means 'to behave in a foolish or clumsy way'.