lay it on
idiom
informal
: to speak in a way that is exaggerated and not sincere
You should compliment her cooking but don't lay it on too thick or she'll know you don't mean it.
He laid it on pretty heavily and pretended to be interested in what she said.
Examples of lay it on in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Charm equals power, so lay it on thick while Venus is in Leo.
—
Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
Don't forget to lay it on thick with all of her favorite garnishes and a bacon-salt rim for the occasion.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Okay lay it on me: How is Mickey’s life in danger now?
—The Verdict Is, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2023
To recruit the world’s best engineering talent, huge companies typically lay it on thick.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023
If your leather jacket gets wet from being caught in the rain, hang it up or lay it on a towel and dab up any moisture with a dry cloth before letting air dry.
—Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 28 Oct. 2022
If some of the stains are stubborn, soak a paper towel with vinegar, then lay it on the stain for a while before adding some elbow grease to get the stains off.
—Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2021
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Usa Today, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2025
Don't forget to lay it on thick with all of her favorite garnishes and a bacon-salt rim for the occasion.
—Zoe Denenberg, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2024
Okay lay it on me: How is Mickey’s life in danger now?
—The Verdict Is, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2023
To recruit the world’s best engineering talent, huge companies typically lay it on thick.
—Virginia Heffernan, WIRED, 21 Mar. 2023
If your leather jacket gets wet from being caught in the rain, hang it up or lay it on a towel and dab up any moisture with a dry cloth before letting air dry.
—Cristina Montemayor, Men's Health, 28 Oct. 2022
If some of the stains are stubborn, soak a paper towel with vinegar, then lay it on the stain for a while before adding some elbow grease to get the stains off.
—Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2021
Video
Lay vs. Lie
Editor Emily Brewster clarifies the difference.
Cite this Entry
“Lay it on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lay%20it%20on. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share