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Chew the Scenery

What Does "Chew the Scenery" Mean?

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"Chew the scenery" is an English idiom. It means "an actor performing in an overly dramatic or exaggerated manner."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "chew the scenery" used in a sentence:
  • The movie was good, but there was one actor who was really chewing the scenery.
  • I wish he'd tone it down a bit and not chew the scenery in every scene.
  • Her performance was so intense, she practically chewed the scenery.
meaning for chew the scenery

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Chew the Scenery" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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