ham it up
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
But just as we wouldn’t expect Ted Lasso to solve a grisly homicide, we probably shouldn’t assume a Dick Wolf regular who isn’t Christopher Meloni can ham it up for a live audience.
From Salon ● Sep. 15, 2026
Employees can experiment with make-your-own hot chocolate, cider and s’mores and ham it up in a 360-degree photo booth.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 10, 2022
The plot’s a clever, multilayered caper, echoing the elaborate structure the movie is named for, and director Rian Johnson fills the script with funny name-dropping and lets the cast happily ham it up.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 22, 2022
Leaning more toward the paranormal than criminal, this British series makes for reliably spooky listening, in part because Richard MacLean Smith, the host and creator, resists the urge to ham it up.
From New York Times ● Nov. 23, 2021
When I was a little kid that used to make me laugh, and she would ham it up by letting them get as steamy as possible and then pretending she couldn’t see me.
From "The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
