Play ignorant Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈɪɡnɝənt
PLAY IG-ner-uhnt
plˈeɪ/ /ˈɪɡnəɹənt
play IG-nuh-ruhnt
Definition
To pretend not to know or understand something, usually to avoid responsibility or involvement.
Usage & Nuances
Informal. Common in conversation. Used when someone avoids admitting or recognizing something they actually know. Often interchangeable with 'play dumb' or 'pretend not to know.' Not literal; do not use for genuinely not knowing.
Spanish: hacerse el ignorante - hacerse el desentendidoPortuguese (BR): fingir ignorância - se fazer de desentendidoPortuguese (PT): fingir ignorância - fazer-se de desentendidoChinese (Simplified): 装作不知道 - 装傻Chinese (Traditional): 裝作不知道 - 裝傻Hindi: अनजान बनना - अज्ञानी बननाArabic: يتظاهر بالجهلBengali: ভান করা না জানার - জানার ভান না করাRussian: прикидываться незнающим - делать вид, что не понимаешьJapanese: 知らないふりをするVietnamese: giả vờ không biếtKorean: 모르는 척하다Turkish: bilmemezlikten gelmekUrdu: جان بوجھ کر لاعلم بننا - انجان بنناIndonesian: berpura-pura tidak tahu
Example Sentences
He always plays ignorant when he's in trouble.
basic
Don't play ignorant—I know you read my message.
basic
She tried to play ignorant about the missing money.
basic
Whenever questions come up, he just plays ignorant to avoid answering.
natural
She’s good at playing ignorant when things go wrong at work.
natural
Stop trying to play ignorant—everyone knows you were involved.
natural