Definition of "play-acting" [play-acting]

• Theatrical performance; stage-playing. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "The subject was date rape; the teaching model two actors on a stage, play-acting a sex scene."
• "During the 3-2 defeat at Liverpool, the Finn grew tired of what he perceived to be Milan Baros's propensity for going down with a bout of play-acting."
• "So the central question remains: is Obama simply play-acting the role of centrist or will he finally rise above politics and show real leadership?"