play dead

phrase

: to lie on one's back and pretend to be dead

She taught her dog to play dead.

Examples of play dead in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The referees called a play dead over an inadvertent whistle that set up another third-down play. — Ryan Gaydos Outkick, FOXNews.com, 20 Sep. 2026

Quarterback Justin Fields had less luck, as his try concluded with back-to-back would-be sacks — only possible because officials were on hand to blow the play dead as defensive linemen reached the quarterback. — Kansas City Star, 3 Aug. 2026

The episode opened with Cole and his remaining Greens falling into a trap set by young Lord Oscar Tully (Archie Barnes) and Lord Roderick Dustin (Tommy Flanagan) that saw a host of Rivermen play dead in order to lure their enemy into battle. — Megan McCluskey, Time, 27 July 2026

The wrecked car was overturned with the nude model sleeping inside—playing dead with help from a mild sedative. — Serena Turner, Vanity Fair, 30 Mar. 2026

Rhymes for play dead

• abed
• ahead
• beachhead
• bedspread
• bedstead
• behead
• blackhead
• blockhead
• bloodshed
• bowhead
• breastfed
• bridgehead