Synonyms

put on an act

Idioms

Pretend, especially in order to deceive; also, show off. For example, We were afraid Charlie had hurt himself, but he was just putting on an act, or We know you're a good swimmer—stop putting on an act. [c. 1930]

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.

See Examples For:

put on an act

But Clifford also knows that every country singer has to put on an act, and Lil is working one, too.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 7, 2023

“Help me to not put on an act of any kind,” I wrote.

From The New Yorker ● May 20, 2019

You put on an act a little bit.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2015

I feel like I can't put on an act of loving support anymore, although I know this is supposed to be one of the most important things a wife can do in this situation.

From Slate ● Nov. 12, 2013

He put on an act of stubborn resistance, but always yielded in the end.

From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023