Playing the part is a phrase that refers to someone who is pretending to be something they are not. There are several synonyms for this phrase such as pretending, acting, assuming a role, or feigning. These words usually have a negative connotation attached to them and can be used to describe someone who is not genuine or honest. People use these synonyms when they want to emphasize that someone is putting on an act or pretending to be someone else to deceive others. It is important to understand that playing the part can also have a positive connotation when someone is acting in a play or movie, in which case it describes the act of taking on a character.