expression, godan verb (-tsu)
play a trick; put on a false show; deceive
Idiomatic use: to act in a way that deceives someone, often by pretending or putting on an act. The trickery is usually deliberate and theatrical.
彼は病気のふりをして芝居を打った。
He pretended to be sick and put on an act.
あの二人は喧嘩
Those two look like they're fighting, but they're actually just putting on a show.
expression, godan verb (-tsu)
put on a play; present a play
Original, literal meaning: to stage or produce a theatrical play. Now somewhat dated; the modern expression is more commonly 芝居をする or 芝居を上演する.
江戸時代、この劇団はよくここで芝居を打った。
In the Edo period, this troupe often put on plays here.