expression
feigning ignorance; acting dumb
Used when someone pretends not to know something, often to avoid responsibility or an awkward situation.
彼は都合が悪くなると、いつも知らないふりをする。
He always pretends not to know when things get awkward.
知らないふりをして、その場をやり過ごした。
I pretended not to know and got through the situation.
A verb meaning to play dumb or feign ignorance, often in a more deliberate or comical way. 知らないふり is a noun phrase describing the act of pretending not to know.
An idiom meaning to flatly deny knowing something, often with a stronger implication of dishonesty. 知らないふり is more neutral and can be used for minor social pretenses.
A set phrase combining 知らない (negative of 知る, 'to know') and ふり ('pretending'). The expression is transparent and modern.