Lay it on with a trowel

Pro Tip 1/3

Informal Use

The phrase is casual and not suitable for formal writing or speeches.

When chatting with friends, you might say, 'She really laid it on with a trowel about her vacation.'

Pro Tip 2/3

Negative Connotation

The phrase usually implies criticism and suggests someone is being deceitful or insincere.

After the speech, Lena whispered, 'He was laying it on with a trowel, wasn't he?'

Pro Tip 3/3

Visual Imagery

Imagine applying plaster with a trowel; this phrase evokes applying too much, thus 'overdoing' something.

To portray the actor's bad performance, you might say, 'He laid it on with a trowel in every scene.'