Overview of noun acting_out

The noun acting out has 2 senses

• acting out -- (a (usually irritating) impulsive and uncontrollable outburst by a problem child or a neurotic adult)


• acting out -- ((psychiatry) the display of previously inhibited emotions (often in actions rather than words); considered to be healthy and therapeutic)

Overview of verb act_out

The verb act out has 2 senses

• act out -- (represent an incident, state, or emotion by action, especially on stage; "She could act neurotic anxiety")


• enact, reenact, act out -- (act out; represent or perform as if in a play; "She reenacted what had happened earlier that day")