1. Home
2. Idioms
3. put on an act

put on an act

---

---

put on an act

to pretend that one is something other than what one is. Be yourself, Ann. Stop putting on an act. You don't have to put on an act. We accept you the way you are.

See also: act, on, put

put on an act

Pretend, especially in order to deceive; also, show off. For example, We were afraid Charlie had hurt himself, but he was just putting on an act, or We know you're a good swimmer-stop putting on an act. [c. 1930]

See also: act, on, put