lay\ it\ on\ with\ a\ trowel

lay\ it\ on\ with\ a\ trowel
• lay it on
• lay it on thick
• put it on thick
• spread it on thick
• lay it on with a trowel
• pour it on thick
v. phr. informal
To persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter.

Bob wanted to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to his mother.

Mary was caught fibbing. She sure spread it on thick.

Compare: put on(2b)

Словарь американских идиом. — СПб., Изд-во "Лань". . 1997.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • lay it on with a trowel — 1. To spread something thickly 2. To say grossly flattering things • • • Main Entry: ↑trowel * * * lay it on with a ˈtrowel idiom (informal) to talk about sb/sth in a way that makes them or it seem much better or much worse than they really are;… …   Useful english dictionary

  • lay something on with a trowel — ► lay something on thick (or with a trowel) informal grossly exaggerate or overemphasize something. Main Entry: ↑lay …   English terms dictionary

  • lay it on with a trowel — Meaning To praise or flatter in an overly generous manner. Origin From Shakespeare s As You Like It …   Meaning and origin of phrases

  • lay it on with a trowel — flatter, compliment, say nice things in order to gain favor …   English contemporary dictionary

  • lay something on thick (or with a trowel) — informal grossly exaggerate or overemphasize something. → lay …   English new terms dictionary

  • lay — Ⅰ. lay [1] ► VERB (past and past part. laid) 1) put down, especially gently or carefully. 2) put down and set in position for use. 3) assign or place: lay the blame. 4) (lay before) present (material) for consideration and action to …   English terms dictionary

  • lay, lie — Lay means to place and is a transitive verb requiring an object. Lie, in the context here, means to recline, is intransitive, and takes no object. I shall lay the rug on the floor. Please lie down here. The principal parts of lay are lay, laid,… …   Dictionary of problem words and expressions

  • lay\ it\ on — • lay it on • lay it on thick • put it on thick • spread it on thick • lay it on with a trowel • pour it on thick v. phr. informal To persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter. Bob wanted to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lay\ it\ on\ thick — • lay it on • lay it on thick • put it on thick • spread it on thick • lay it on with a trowel • pour it on thick v. phr. informal To persuade someone by using very much flattery; flatter. Bob wanted to go to the movies. He laid it on thick to… …   Словарь американских идиом

  • lay — I v 1. put, place, set, rest, Inf. stick, leave, park, plant; set down, seat, settle; incline, lean. 2. drop, floor, lay low, prostrate; fell, knock or cut or strike down, sink. 3. lodge, submit, present, prefer, bring forward. 4. repose, impute …   A Note on the Style of the synonym finder

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