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Glite Dictionary
to play the fool

to play the fool

7 4.6
Act in a silly way to make others laugh or avoid being serious
  • idiom
  • Informal
: hacerse el tonto
  • Sometimes, to lighten the mood at a party, I play the fool and tell silly jokes.
  • loved to play the fool
  • just play the fool

And Graciano says, let me play the fool, live with mirth and laughter, let all wrinkles come, and let my liver rather heat with wine.

Examples

Synonyms

to be silly
vsto play the fool
88 2.1

Act in a foolish or playful way without taking things seriously

is deliberate foolishness usually intended to amuse others or avoid seriousness
to fool around
vsto play the fool
  • Informal
46 3.6

Act in a silly, playful way instead of working

is purposeful foolish behaviour used to amuse or avoid seriousness
to make a fool of oneself
vsto play the fool
42 4.1

Act in a way that makes you look silly or embarrassed

is deliberate silliness performed to amuse others or to avoid seriousness
to clown around
vsto play the fool
  • Informal
9 4.8

To act silly and playful to make people laugh

is similar but often aims specifically to amuse or dodge seriousness
to act a fool
vsto play the fool
  • Informal
3 8.0

To behave in a silly or embarrassing way to get attention

is done to amuse or to avoid seriousness rather than only to show off
to be a buffoon
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
2 8.1

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

is intentional silliness to amuse others or to avoid seriousness
to play silly buggers
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
1 9.9

Act in a foolish, annoying way instead of being serious

is purposeful silliness aimed at amusement rather than mere disruption
to be a tosser
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To behave in a rude, stupid way

is purposeful silliness meant to amuse or to avoid seriousness rather than to insult
to play the Merry Andrew
vsto play the fool
  • Archaic
9.9

Act in a silly way like a clown to make people laugh

is deliberate silliness often to amuse or to avoid seriousness
to act like a ditz
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly, careless way to avoid serious talk

is intentional silliness performed to amuse or to dodge seriousness
to act like a buffoon
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
6.8

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

is performed silliness that aims to entertain or avoid seriousness rather than clumsiness
to act like a dorkus
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a silly, awkward way that looks foolish

is done deliberately to amuse or to avoid taking things seriously
to act like a doylem
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a silly, clumsy way

is purposeful foolish acting meant to amuse or to escape seriousness
to act like a dipstick
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave foolishly or clumsily

is deliberate foolish behaviour used to amuse or avoid seriousness
to act like a dumbo
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.6

Behave in a silly or foolish way

is intentional silliness aimed at amusing others or avoiding seriousness
to be a nimrod
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a foolish, clumsy way

is deliberate foolish acting to amuse or to avoid seriousness rather than ineptness
to be a booby
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

Act in a silly or stupid way

is intentional silliness performed to amuse or to dodge seriousness
to be a chutiya
vsto play the fool
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a stupid and rude way

is deliberate silly behaviour used to amuse or avoid seriousness rather than insult

How Silly

to play the fool
  • Informal
7 4.6
to clown around
  • Informal
9 4.8
to be silly
88 2.1

Surface Forms

play the fool infinitive
played the fool past
played the fool past participle
playing the fool present participle
plays the fool third person singular

Morphology

play + the + fool

The meaning 'to behave in a deliberately silly way' follows directly from combining 'play' (to act or pretend) with 'fool' (a silly person): to "play the fool" is simply to act the role of a fool. This verb + role construction is a common, compositional pattern in English and many other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

The idiom play the fool comes from old actors and court jesters who would play the part of a fool, pretending to be silly to make people laugh. That's why today play the fool means 'to act silly on purpose' to amuse others or avoid serious talk.