lay it on thick

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lay it on thick (third-person singular simple present lays it on thick, present participle laying it on thick, simple past and past participle laid it on thick)

1. (idiomatic) To exaggerate or overstate a feeling or emotion.

   She really laid it on thick when her pet died.

2. (idiomatic) To flatter.

   He knew he needed to lay it on thick in his job interview.

3. (idiomatic) To guilt, guilt-trip.

   Her mother laid it on thick, telling her to call home more often.

• blow out of proportion