What does it mean to play the possum?

What does it mean to play the 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. Faking & pretending.

Why do possums play possum?

The term “playing possum” means to remain quiet and still – opossums fall over and appear to be dead. This action is involuntary and usually happens if the animal is frightened. When an opossum is scared, its body shuts down and the animal goes stiff, with its teeth bared, and saliva drips from its open mouth.

Is Play Possum an idiom?

Play possum is an idiom that means feigning death, pretending to be dead when faced with a life-threatening situation. Hikers and campers are often admonished to play possum if faced with an attack from a grizzly bear. Often, a grizzly bear will lose interest in its prey if it does not put up a fight.

What is the scientific term for playing possum?

Apparent death, colloquially known as playing dead, feigning death, or playing possum, is a behavior in which animals take on the appearance of being dead. This form of animal deception is an adaptive behavior also known as tonic immobility or thanatosis.

Do opossums play dead?

Opossums Are Gentle Wild Neighbors Opossums are peaceful animals that prefer not to fight although they may hiss, growl, and even bite if cornered. It is much more likely that the opossum will faint or “play dead” at the prospect of a confrontation. This physiological response is involuntary and automatic.

How do you get someone’s goat?

To make someone annoyed or angry: “Gavin may seem unflappable, but I know a way to get his goat.” This expression comes from a tradition in horse racing. Thought to have a calming effect on high-strung thoroughbreds, a goat was placed in the horse’s stall on the night before the race.

Is possum good or bad?

As a homeowner, you may see opossums as unwanted pests, but they can also be helpful critters. On one hand, having opossums around can be beneficial because they are known to eat harmful insects and annoying pests such as cockroaches, rats and snakes.

What does it mean when you get someone’s goat?

informal. : to upset or irritate someone The way she’s always correcting other people really gets my goat!