Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

lay it on thick

Idioms  
  1. Also, lay it on with a trowel. Exaggerate, overstate; also, flatter effusively. For example, Jane laid it on thick when she said this was the greatest book she'd ever read, or Tom thought he'd get the senator to waive the speaker's fee if he just laid it on with a trowel. This idiom alludes to applying a thick coat of paint or plaster. [c. 1600]


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

She tried to lay it on thick, telling the aide about the connections Waldorf and Sanders shared.

From Salon May 27, 2026

“We are going to lay it on thick for her,” read one text from Howard.

From Seattle Times Apr. 30, 2024

And sheesh, does the lead sponsor, Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, lay it on thick.

From Slate Apr. 3, 2024

McCarthy knows that we know that he knows that he can lay it on thick.

From New York Times Nov. 28, 2022

However, he must rub up all his old Eton books this 'long,' and get old Hanmer to lay it on thick.

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 54, No. 334, August 1843 by Various

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training