play possum

Definition

To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lie low.

Etymology

From play + possum (“from opposum”), from the behavior of the Virginia opossum, which feigns death when threatened. First use appears c. 1807.

Example Sentences

• "Thinking fast, we played possum, hoping the bear wouldn't bother us."
• "The soldier played possum, fooling the sniper."
• "To keep the focus away from his client, the lawyer basically played possum during the entire complex trial, and his tactic paid off with an acquittal."