act the maggot

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act the maggot

slang Primarily heard in Ireland.
1. To behave comically or playfully, often to amuse others. Primarily heard in Ireland. If you continue to act the maggot, you're going to have to leave the classroom. Joe never acts the maggot—he's always so serious. Why do you have detention? Please tell me you weren't acting the maggot again.
2. To behave irresponsibly or immaturely, especially in an environment where it is especially inappropriate. Primarily heard in Ireland. Don't let me catch any of you kids acting the maggot at the funeral. We finally get invited to a nice dinner party and you have to go and act the maggot—what's wrong with you? People who've had too much to drink always want to go down to the pier and act the maggot, hollering and carrying on.
See also: act, maggot
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

act the maggot

behave in a foolishly playful way. Irish informal
See also: act, maggot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
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References in periodicals archive ?
So if you're told, "don't come the raw prawn" imagine they're telling you not to act the maggot - and stop what you're doing immediately.
We should be so lucky; UNDERSTAND WHAT THOSE FLAMIN' GALAHS DOWN UNDER ARE SAYING?
The fact that we have such a strong panel, why act the maggot by celebrating too much?"
MAKING NO CASE FOR DEFENCE; Veteran Mayo ace aiming to keep out reigning champions Corofin
THE IRA's method of decommissioning was perfectly transparent - it was a transparent attempt to satisfy everyone except the DUP, who could then be guaranteed to rant, rave and act the maggot.
Newton Emerson: HANG ON!
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