Play innocent Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To pretend that you do not know about something or are not responsible for it, even though you actually are.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and often used when someone is trying to avoid blame or act as if they are unaware of a problem. Common in phrases like 'don't play innocent with me'. Similar to 'play dumb', but with more focus on appearing morally blameless.
Example Sentences
Don't play innocent; I saw you hiding the remote.
basic
He tried to play innocent when the teacher asked who made the mess.
basic
Please, don't play innocent—everyone knows what you did.
basic
She always tries to play innocent when something goes wrong at work.
natural
You can't just play innocent and act like you had nothing to do with it.
natural
Whenever she's caught, she just plays innocent and smiles.
natural