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
The advice is different with a smaller black bear: Don’t play dead.
From National Geographic ● Aug. 17, 2023
With grizzlies, avoid eye contact and play dead in the event of an attack.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 22, 2022
An instructor would be with me, but he would "play dead" and I would be guided in by another instructor in the tower.
From BBC ● May 13, 2022
“Let’s just say the Grievers can play dead really well.”
From "The Maze Runner" by James Dashner
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
