Meaning
Pretend to be foolish or ignorant in order to outwit the clever and find out the truth. By 'playing fool' — acting like you don't know or don't notice — you lull a cunning person into revealing themselves, and so 'catch' the wise one at their own game. A proverb praising shrewdness disguised as simplicity.
Examples
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Him act like him nuh notice, but him a play fool fi ketch wise.
He acts like he doesn't notice, but he's playing dumb to catch them out.
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Mek dem chat; mi a play fool fi ketch wise.
Let them talk; I'm playing the fool to outwit the clever.
Origin
A traditional proverb; feigning foolishness to outsmart the cunning. See Ginnal, Tan far, si good.
How it’s used
Feign ignorance to outwit the clever and learn the truth. See Ginnal, Tan far, si good.