act out
act out
act out [ phrasal verb ]
1 a : to behave badly especially because you are feeling painful emotions (such as fear or anger)
What can parents do when their kids start acting out?
1 b act out (something) or act (something) out : to show that you are feeling (a painful emotion) by acting in ways that are not good or acceptable
children acting out their emotions in inappropriate ways
He tries not to act out his anger/frustrations.
2 act out (something) or act (something) out
2 a : to perform (a play, a character in a movie, etc.)
plays acted out on stage
She skillfully acted out the role of a young queen.
2 b : to do and say the things that happen in (a movie, past event, etc.)
At their last party, they acted out [=reenacted] scenes from old movies.
The children were acting out what they saw on television.
adults acting out their childhood dreams/fantasies [=doing the things they wanted to do when they were children]
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Main Entry: act
