PhrasesHub

Over-egg the pudding

    Definitions

      • exaggerate
        To overemphasize or exaggerate something, often in a way that is not necessary or appropriate

      • overcomplicate
        To make something more complicated or elaborate than necessary

    Examples of Over-egg the pudding

    • The speaker at the presentation went on and on about the benefits of the product, delivering too many examples and details that ultimately took away from the overall impact.

      In this case, "over-egging the pudding" refers to excessive elaboration or exaggeration that ultimately detracts from the main point being made. The speaker's attempt to impress the audience with too much detail and evidence may have actually had the reverse effect, making the presentation less effective overall.

    • The recipe for the chocolate cake called for 4 large eggs, but my friend decided to add an extra 2 in an attempt to make the cake even more rich and decadent.

      In this example, "over-egging the pudding" refers specifically to adding more ingredients than are necessary, in this case, eggs to a cake recipe. The friend's attempt to make the cake even more delicious may have had the opposite effect, making the cake too heavy and dense.

    • During the negotiation, the other party kept presenting excessive evidence that was not directly relevant to the case at hand, in an attempt to confuse and overwhelm us.

      Here, "over-egging the pudding" refers to the use of extraneous or unnecessary information to confuse and overwhelm others, in this case, during a negotiation. The other party's attempts to present more evidence than necessary may have actually worked against them, making it harder for us to see the real issues at stake.

    • The director seemed to think that the movie needed more action scenes, so he added a few that didn't really fit with the overall tone or plot of the story.

      In this example, "over-egging the pudding" refers to the addition of extraneous or unnecessary elements to a work, in this case, action scenes to a movie. The director's attempt to make the movie more exciting may have actually had the opposite effect, making it less cohesive and less effective overall.

    • The sales pitch by the eager CEO was over-egged with extravagant claims about the product's performance, leaving the skeptical investors wondering if the company's success was too good to be true.

      This idiomatic expression is used when someone overexaggerates or adds too many embellishments to an already good or successful thing, causing it to lose its credibility or impact. In this example, the CEO's exaggerated claims about the product's performance painted a picture that was too perfect, leading the investors to doubt whether the product was actually as good as the CEO claimed.

    • The protagonist's backstory was over-egged with a plethora of tragic events, making the reader roll their eyes and question whether the author was trying too hard to make the character seem more sympathetic.

      This example shows how over-egging the pudding can lead to a negative impression on the audience, who may view the excessive details as an attempt to manipulate their emotions or beliefs.

    • The chef added an over-egged sauce to the dish, which ruined the perfect balance of flavors and left a unpleasant aftertaste in the diners' mouths.

      This example illustrates how over-egging a dish or recipe can spoil its overall taste and presentation, making it less enjoyable to consume. It's a cautionary tale to avoid adding too many ingredients or seasonings, as it can make the dish too heavy, complicated, or overwhelming for the consumers.

    • The sales pitch included elaborate graphics and detailed statistics, which over-egged the pudding and left the potential clients feeling overwhelmed and skeptical.

      This idiom is used when someone or something goes overboard and excessively embellishes an already satisfactory situation, making it overly complicated or distracting. In this example, the overly complex and exaggerated sales pitch went beyond what was necessary, making it less effective and potentially deterring the potential clients from making a purchase. By "over-egging the pudding," the salesperson risked losing out on a potential sale due to distraction or skepticism.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "over-egg the pudding" is used to describe the act of exaggerating or overcomplicating something. It can be used to caution against going overboard or making something more complex than it needs to be. It is often used in a lighthearted or humorous way to advise someone to keep things simple and not add unnecessary embellishments.

    Origin of "Over-egg the pudding"

    The origin of the idiom "over-egg the pudding" is thought to come from the culinary world, specifically from the practice of adding too many eggs to a pudding. In traditional British cooking, a pudding often includes eggs as a key ingredient. However, adding too many eggs can result in a dense, heavy, or excessively rich pudding.

    The idiom likely originated from this literal practice of overdoing it with eggs in a pudding, and has since been applied metaphorically to various situations where someone is seen as adding too much or exaggerating. This idiom has been in use for many years and is still commonly used in British English today.

    Examples:

    • The presentation was good, but I think you over-egged the pudding with all those unnecessary graphics.
    • Let's keep it simple and not over-egg the pudding with too many details.