act out

verb

1. To perform something specific.

   “What was acted out in the American and French Revolutions had been thought out beforehand in the writings of Locke and Rousseau, the scenarists for the drama of modern politics.”

2. To perform something specific.

   “Despite already being aware, he will be acting out the pretence of a surprise.”

3. To perform something specific.

   “I've wanted to do this for so long, but I never thought I could act it out.”

4. To express internal feelings or thoughts.

   “I know you're angry, but you can't act out and break dishes like that.”

5. To express internal feelings or thoughts.

   “When her jaw was wired shut, she had acted out what she needed.”

6. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see act, out.

   “She's a street performer, so she acts out on Ninth Street.”