Chew the scenery Meaning in English
expression
ˈtʃu/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈsinɝi
CHOO-thuh-SEE-nur-ee
tʃjˈuː/ /ðə, ði/ /sˈiːnəɹi
CHYOO-thuh-SEE-nuh-ree
Definition
To act in an exaggerated, overly dramatic way, especially in theater or film; to overact.
Usage & Nuances
Informal, often humorous or critical. Used mainly about actors giving very exaggerated performances, but sometimes also about anyone being overly dramatic. Usually negative or joking. Never literal—does not refer to actually eating scenery!
Spanish: sobreactuarPortuguese (BR): exagerar na atuaçãoPortuguese (PT): exagerar na atuaçãoChinese (Simplified): 表演过度Chinese (Traditional): 表現過度Hindi: अत्यधिक नाटकीय अभिनय करनाArabic: المبالغة في التمثيلBengali: অতিরঞ্জিত অভিনয় করা - মঞ্চে বা সিনেমায় বাড়াবাড়ি করাRussian: переигрывать - слишком театрально игратьJapanese: 大げさに演技する - オーバーアクトするVietnamese: diễn quá lố - diễn kịch quá mứcKorean: 오버하는 연기하다 - 지나치게 과장되게 연기하다Turkish: fazla abartılı oynamak - rolünü fazla büyütmekUrdu: ضرورت سے زیادہ ڈرامائی اداکاری کرنا - اداکاری میں مبالغہ کرناIndonesian: berakting secara berlebihan - akting terlalu dramatis
Example Sentences
The actor started to chew the scenery during the final scene.
basic
If you chew the scenery, the director might ask you to calm down.
basic
He tends to chew the scenery in every movie he makes.
basic
Wow, talk about chewing the scenery—that performance was wild!
natural
She likes to chew the scenery—subtlety isn't her style.
natural
You really don’t have to chew the scenery to impress the audience.
natural