ham up
Play too broadly
To ham up is to exaggerate or overact, especially for dramatic or comic effect: She hammed up her Southern accent for the tourists.
The phrase comes from ham meaning an overly theatrical performer.
You can ham it up or ham up a performance, playing to the audience with broad gestures and expressions.
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- chew the sceneryOveract dramatically onstage
- muggingRobbery with violence
- emoteExpress with theatricality
- grandstandTiered spectator seating structure
lay it on thick · milk it · camp it up · play to the gallery · overplay · histrionics · theatrics · showboating
Exaggerated physical humor
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
- goofingBehaving in silly ways
pratfall · farce · gag · improv · sketch · parody · send-up · lampoon
melodramatic
Exaggeratedly emotional in expression
- chew the sceneryOveract dramatically onstage
- muggingRobbery with violence
- emoteExpress with theatricality
grandstand · lay it on thick · milk it · camp it up · play to the gallery · overplay · histrionics · theatrics · showboating · posturing
slapstick
Exaggerated physical humor
- buffooneryLudicrous or silly conduct
- shtickPerformer's signature gimmick
- clowningPlayful comic behavior
goofing · pratfall · farce · gag · improv · sketch · parody · send-up · lampoon · spoof
performance
Carrying out a task
- stageRaised performance platform
- actingTemporarily holding position
- spotlightConcentrated illumination source
audience · scene · curtain call · showmanship · drama · monologue · solo · role · character · costume
ham upbe authentic
Act without pretense
act naturally · keep it real · play it straight · play it cool · deadpan