Definition of "act out" in English

Verb

1. To perform something specific.

   • Despite already being aware, he will be acting out the pretence of a surprise.
   • I've wanted to do this for so long, but I never thought I could act it out.

2. To perform a scene from a play, a charade or an exercise.

   • Despite already being aware, he will be acting out the pretence of a surprise.

3. To perform a fantasy in reality.

   • I've wanted to do this for so long, but I never thought I could act it out.

4. To express internal feelings or thoughts. To express one's feelings through disruptive actions.

   • I know you're angry, but you can't act out and break dishes like that.
   • When her jaw was wired shut, she had acted out what she needed.

5. To express one's feelings through disruptive actions.

   • I know you're angry, but you can't act out and break dishes like that.

6. To express ideas or desires through actions rather than words.

   • When her jaw was wired shut, she had acted out what she needed.

7. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see act,‎ out.

   • She's a street performer, so she acts out on Ninth Street.