play a trick on vs fox

play a trick on is not a noun while fox is a noun.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
play a trick on	No	No	Yes	No
fox	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, play a trick on and fox are synonyms defined as:

Other synonyms of play a trick on include flim-flam, fob, play a joke on, play tricks, pull a fast one on, trick.

play a trick on (noun)	fox (noun)
	alert carnivorous mammal with pointed muzzle and ears and a bushy tail; most are predators that do not hunt in packs
	a shifty deceptive person
	the grey or reddish-brown fur of a fox

play a trick on (verb)	fox (verb)
deceive somebody	become discolored with, or as if with, mildew spots
	be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
	deceive somebody