そらうそぶく

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

feign ignorance; pretend not to know; act nonchalant

Used when someone deliberately acts as if they don't know something or are indifferent, often to avoid involvement or responsibility.

• 彼かれは都つ合ごうが悪わるくなると、すぐにそらうそぶく。

  He quickly feigns ignorance when things get awkward.

• 質しつ問もんされても、そらうそぶいて答こたえなかった。

  Even when asked, he pretended not to know and didn't answer.

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

assume a contemptuous attitude; act disdainful

Rare literary use; conveys a dismissive or scornful pretense, often with an air of superiority.

• 彼かれは相あい手てをそらうそぶいて、話はなしも聞きこうとしなかった。

  He acted contemptuously toward the other person and wouldn't even listen.