play the fool

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play the fool (third-person singular simple present plays the fool, present participle playing the fool, simple past and past participle played the fool)

1. (idiomatic) To behave in a foolish or comical manner.
   • 1969, Paul McCartney, “Maxwell's Silver Hammer”, in Abbey Road, performed by The Beatles:

     Back in school again, Maxwell plays the fool again
     Teacher gets annoyed

2. (idiomatic) To pretend or feign ignorance.
   • 1980, Prince, “Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad?”, in Prince:

     I play the fool when we're together
     But I cry when we're apart, yeah
     I couldn't do you no better
     Don't break what's left of my broken heart, baby