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.

“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

On the world stage, it was Cameron’s turn to lay it on thick.

From The Guardian • Jul. 7, 2017

“Winter always does lay it on thick to the kids, though,” said Wrangham, who happened to be present.

From Follow My leader The Boys of Templeton by Stacey, W. S. (Walter S.)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.