play possum
to pretend to be asleep or dead so that someone will not annoy or hurt you

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

play possum
to pretend to be dead or sleeping so that someone will not annoy or attack you.
I don't think he's really asleep. He's playing possum.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play possum
to pretend to be inactive/asleep/dead
I think that the man is playing possum and is not really sleeping.

My friend was playing possum and did not respond to the conversation around him.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

play possum
v. phr., informal
1. To pretend to be asleep.
Johnny seemed to be fully asleep, but his mother knew that he was playing possum.
2. To stay quiet for self-protection; try to escape attention by inactivity.
The rabbit played possum under the bushes, hoping the hunter would not see him.
Bob played possum when the teacher looked around.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲