play dead
Americanverb (used without object)
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to pretend to be dead or defeated, such as by lying very still.
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to give up and refuse to take action on a situation.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For years, wildlife experts advised people attacked by black bears to fight back, while recommending that anyone confronted by a much larger grizzly lie still and play dead.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026
"If you're attacked by a polar bear, definitely do not play dead — that is a myth," she told CBC.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2024
The advice is different with a smaller black bear: Don’t play dead.
From National Geographic ● Aug. 17, 2023
“Black widows generally don’t bite when harassed,” preferring to run, play dead or flick webbing at a poking finger, Mr. Coticchio said.
From New York Times ● Mar. 13, 2023
Grover had finally gotten the hang of fetch; now Ralph tried to teach him to play dead.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
