What is the origin of the idiom "play possum" and when to use it?

The idiom "play possum" originated in North America and refers to a behavior exhibited by the Virginia opossum, a marsupial native to the region. When threatened or attacked, the opossum often goes into a defensive mode where it appears motionless and feigns death. This behavior is believed to have given rise to the idiom "play possum." This idiom phrase is used to suggest a strategy of appearing defenseless or vulnerable to deter or confuse potential threats.