Question

What kind of figurative language is “Play dead often and long enough and people begin to think you are.” ?

Answer 1

Not knowing the context for this sentence it's hard to know exactly what is implied or referenced by "playing dead," but it's a metaphor for being unresponsive, as in always playing dumb (I dunno), being oblivious to others because someone is listening to ear buds and paying no attention, or something like that.