Laying it on thick 🎨 পুরু

Meaning

To exaggerate or overdo something, especially praise or flattery, in a way that is obvious and often insincere.

Origin

The image comes from painters applying a very thick layer of paint to a canvas. This heavy application was obvious, perhaps even crude, and certainly not subtle. Imagine an artist slapping on dollops of paint, rather than a fine, delicate brushstroke. It suggested a lack of finesse, a rather unsubtle, heavy-handed approach. This visual of excessive, obvious application easily transferred to speech and behavior, describing someone being overly enthusiastic or insincere in their compliments or descriptions, making their intentions plainly apparent.

🗣️ communication 🎭🤥 deception 💪🙏 pride 📅🕰️ 20th 21st century

Laying it on thick represented with emoji🎨 পুরু

This playful arrangement, 🎨 পুরু, "laying it on thick," teaches the viewer to look beyond the literal. It functions as a whimsical reminder that sometimes, more is indeed more, but also how easily that "more" can become a tad too much. Note how the bold application of emoji creates a visual excess that mirrors the exaggerated sentiment of the phrase.

Examples

  • He was laying it on thick with the compliments, hoping to get a promotion.
  • She realized her friend was laying it on thick when describing her own supposed achievements.
  • The salesperson was laying it on thick about how this car would change my life, complete with dramatic hand gestures.
  • The knight, trying to impress the dragon with tales of his bravery, was laying it on thick, even for a dragon slayer.

Frequently asked questions

What's the opposite of laying it on thick?

The opposite of laying it on thick is being understated or subtle. This would involve expressing something with restraint and avoiding any obvious exaggeration or insincerity.

Is laying it on thick a proverb or an idiom?

Laying it on thick is considered an idiom. Proverbs are typically short, well-known sayings that express a general truth or piece of advice, while idioms are phrases whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of the words.

Can laying it on thick be used for negative criticism?

While most commonly associated with exaggerated praise or flattery, laying it on thick can sometimes describe excessive or overdone negative criticism, making the condemnation feel insincere or performative.

Who first used the phrase laying it on thick?

The exact person who first used the phrase laying it on thick is unknown, but its origins trace back to the visual imagery of painters applying heavy, obvious layers of paint to a canvas.

Similar to "laying it on thick"

Buttering someone up
Both signal an attempt to gain favor through excessive flattery, but 'buttering someone up' feels more like a calculated, tactical maneuver, whereas 'laying it on thick' can be a more general, less precise exaggeration
Gilding the lily
Both describe adding unnecessary ornamentation to something already complete, but while 'laying it on thick' often involves insincere praise, 'gilding the lily' is more about spoiling perfection with superfluous additions
To spin a yarn
Both involve embellishment, but 'laying it on thick' focuses on exaggerated praise or flattery, whereas 'to spin a yarn' is about creating an elaborate, often fictional, story or account

Opposite of "laying it on thick"

Telling it like it is
This argues for blunt honesty and unfiltered truth, directly challenging the performative insincerity of 'laying it on thick'
Understating the case
This champions measured and restrained expression, proposing that true value lies in subtlety and genuine sentiment, not in obvious overstatement
Calling a spade a spade
This advocates for straightforward, unadorned language, standing in stark contrast to the elaborate and potentially deceptive nature of 'laying it on thick'

Related to "laying it on thick"

Schmaltz
'Schmaltz' describes excessive, sentimental, and often cloying emotionality, a close cousin to the over-the-top nature of 'laying it on thick' when applied to feelings
Fluff piece
This refers to a piece of writing or media that is overly complimentary and lacks critical depth, often the result of someone 'laying it on thick' for a subject
Lip service
This describes insincere agreement or praise, sharing the element of insincerity found in 'laying it on thick,' but focusing specifically on verbal affirmation rather than broader exaggeration
To pull someone's leg
Both involve a degree of playful deception or exaggeration, but 'pulling someone's leg' is typically lighthearted and meant to amuse, whereas 'laying it on thick' often carries a more manipulative or self-serving intent