Stop acting the fool

Meaning

A variation often heard in British or Irish influenced areas that implies someone is playing a role that makes them look ridiculous. It suggests the person is putting on a show for negative attention.

Irritated, blunt

Used in a sentence

• I have had enough of you acting the fool in front of our guests.
• Stop acting the fool and tell me what really happened to the car.
• He is just acting the fool because he does not want to do the laundry.