play_false
1. [ verb ] conceal one's true motives from esp. by elaborately feigning good intentions so as to gain an end
Synonyms: snow hoodwink lead_by_the_nose pull_the_wool_over_someone's_eyes bamboozle
Examples:

"He bamboozled his professors into thinking that he knew the subject well"

Related terms: deceive
Similar spelling:   playful
  playfulness
  playfully
  playfellow