act out

British  

verb

1. (tr) to reproduce (an idea, former event, etc) in actions, often by mime

2. psychiatry to express unconsciously (a repressed impulse or experience) in overt behaviour

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act out Idioms  

1. Perform or portray something or someone, as in As she read to the class, the teacher had each child act out a different character in the story . [c. 1600]

2. Express unconscious feelings or impulses through one's behavior, without being aware of it. For example, She acted out her anger at her father by screaming at her husband . This meaning comes from 20th-century psychological theory and usually (but not always) refers to negative or hostile impulses and emotions. The term is sometimes used without an object to mean “misbehave” or “behave disruptively,” as in The child is acting out in class . [First half of 1900s] In both usages, out means “openly” or “publicly.”

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Example Sentences

Netanyahu said police had acted out of "special" safety concerns and that a plan was being drawn up to allow church leaders to worship at the site in the coming days.

From BBC

Lunny described her staff being asked to act out Timothy's behaviour as "appalling".

From BBC

In the six weeks that follow, McCullagh acts out the grieving boyfriend.

From BBC

But McNicholas said that the department is acting out of concern about public perception and to punish the officers for refusing to remove the plates when asked to do so by their superiors.

From Los Angeles Times

Lou seemed to enjoy his son best when he acted out the old man’s hidebound conception of masculinity.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• display
• execute
• give
• go on
• offer
• play
• present
• produce
• represent
• show
• stage