Your English writing platform
Discover LudwigSuggestions(1)
"play possum" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to pretend to be asleep, unconscious, or dead in order to deceive someone. It can be used in various contexts, such as in stories, conversations, and descriptions. Here is an example: After the argument with her parents, Jane went to her room and decided to play possum until things calmed down. She lay motionless on her bed, pretending to be asleep, hoping to avoid any further confrontation.
Dictionary
play possum
verb
To feign death; to remain quiet and still to escape attention or remain undetected; to lay low.
synonyms
Exact(11)
The Frenchman's conclusion: "You will play possum until Rio, then … bam".
Sometimes I try to play possum for a few extra minutes, but it never works.
Possums play possum, cowbirds and cuckoos avoid the hassle of raising offspring by laying their eggs in other birds' nests.
But the major studios may not be able to play possum much longer.
Ask her out on a date, as some already have, and she'll play possum.
"But in a curious kind of way he does play possum in the unimportant moments, almost as a way to divert people's attention from his ultimate goal".
Similar(49)
Is Nibali playing possum?
It's my way of playing possum".
This behaviour has given rise to the expression "playing possum".
Is this just playing possum or hiding your cards?
Sanders had played possum on his previous punt return.
Write better and faster with AI suggestions while staying true to your unique style.
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com