Acting the goat

v.

Heard in Tipperary and Wexford

To act in a foolish or silly manner. Also: Behaving in a silly manner.

Sit down. Stop acting the gaatch and do your homework." "Sean! Stop acting the goat!

Posh English

Do sit down. Cease this foolish behaviour and attend to your homework.

Same phrase, other counties

• Wexford (not in the dictionary)

Related terms

• Acting the maggotBehaving in a particularly foolish or silly manner.
• Acting the goulBehaving like a fool or acting the eejit.
• Pig actingMessing about, acting the fool, or behaving boisterously.
• Actin the goatBehaving foolishly or misbehaving.
• Acting the donkeyTo behave in a foolish or silly manner, especially when intoxicated.
• Acting the prickBehaving in a nasty, petty or stubbornly unacceptable manner.