turn on a fool

[GeneD]

When during a discussion someone pretends that he doesn't understand what his opponent has said and completely ignores the arguments given, we in Russian might describe the behaviour as "turning on a fool". For instance: Don't turn/switch on a fool. You've got what I mean. ​Are there English expressions conveying the idea?

 

[GoesStation]

Don't play the fool has a similar meaning. It literally means "don't act like a fool."

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

"Don't play dumb" is the exact equivalent you're looking for.

"Don't play the fool" means something else. As GS says, it means you really are being foolish, not just pretending.

 

[probus]

Yes. We call it "ordinary American political discourse "
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[Charlie Bernstein]

Yes. We call it "ordinary American political discourse "

Yes - like when we argue about Brexit!

 

[probus]

Yes - like when we argue about Brexit!

I am very glad you mentioned Brexit , Charlie because it gives me a chance to say this.

The actual words of Teresa May have now become indistinguishable from the satire of Hugo Rifkind. She said, just the other day, "People who say they know what we are doing are lying because we don't even know what we are doing (sic)."

 

[swara31]

That phrase says Don't act like a dumb .

 

[GoesStation]

That phrase says Don't act like a dumb .

No it doesn't. "Dumb" is not a noun, so it's not possible to act like a "dumb".