Deceptive Behavior Vocabulary

noun a hand in poker containing four cards of the same suit

verb to bluff or deceive in poker by pretending to have a strong hand

• The poker player attempted a four flush by drawing for a fifth card of the same suit.
• He thought he could pull off a four flush in the game, but ended up losing.
• I went all in on a four flush, hoping to scare off the other players.
• Her promises were just a four flush, with no real intention of following through.

adjective deceitful and untrustworthy

• The perfidious actions of the traitor were revealed during the investigation.
• I can't believe she would be so perfidious as to betray her best friend like that.
• That perfidious snake stabbed me in the back when I least expected it.
• The storm clouds gathered, a perfidious omen of the trouble to come.

verb to pretend to be ignorant or unaware of something

adjective acting in a way that makes one appear unintelligent or unaware

• It is not ethical to play dumb in a professional setting.
• I saw you play dumb when the teacher asked about the missing homework.
• Don't play dumb with me, I know you were involved in the prank.
• She tried to play dumb, but we all knew she was the mastermind behind the scheme.

verb to give someone less money than they are owed, often in a dishonest or unfair way

• The customer felt that the store was trying to shortchange him by not providing a full refund.
• Don't shortchange yourself by settling for less than you deserve.
• I won't let them shortchange me on this deal.
• By not investing in your education, you are shortchanging your future potential.