agony

Related to agony: agony aunt

pile on the agony

To exaggerate one's pain, difficulties, or problems in order to get more sympathy from others. Primarily heard in UK. My wife's been piling on the agony about her sore back so that I'll do more of the work around the house this weekend. Did you hear Tom? He was really piling on the agony to the boss to try to get this Friday off work.
See also: agony, on, pile

pile the agony on

To exaggerate one's pain, difficulties, or problems in order to get more sympathy from others. Primarily heard in UK. My wife's been piling the agony on about her sore back so that I'll do more of the work around the house this weekend. Did you hear Tom? He was really piling the agony on to the boss to try to get this Friday off work.
See also: agony, on, pile

prolong the agony

To extend a period of stress, pressure, difficulty, or discomfort beyond what is necessary. Why don't you just finish the essay tonight, rather than prolong the agony for the whole weekend? Come on, don't prolong the agony—just tell me if I was accepted or not!
See also: agony
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

prolong the agony

If someone or something prolongs the agony, they make an unpleasant situation last longer than it needs to. The job just wasn't working out so, rather than prolong the agony, I felt it was better to go.
See also: agony
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

pile on the agony

exaggerate or aggravate a bad situation. informal
See also: agony, on, pile

prolong the agony

cause a difficult or unpleasant situation to last longer than necessary.
See also: agony
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

pile on the ˈagony/ˈgloom

(informal, especially British English)
1 make something unpleasant sound much worse than it really is in order to gain sympathy from other people: He always piles on the agony when he has a cold; you’d think he was dying.
2 make somebody feel even worse about an unpleasant situation: The latest fare increase just piles on the gloom for rail passengers, who already feel they are paying too much.
See also: agony, gloom, on, pile

proˌlong the ˈagony

make an unpleasant situation last longer than is necessary: Don’t prolong the agony. Just say yes or no, and then I’ll know where I stand. OPPOSITE: put somebody/something out of their/its misery
See also: agony
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • pile on the agony
  • pile on the agony/gloom
  • pile the agony on
  • pile the gloom on
  • pile on the gloom
  • maw
  • mee-maw
  • talk out of (one's) hat
References in periodicals archive
It wasn't humane to keep her alive VALERIE JONES ON HER SISTER JO'S AGONY BEFORE DYING
17 people a day die in pain; Plea for assisted dying
The London Weekend Television comedy began on March 11, 1979, and was created by real-life agony aunt Anna Radburn and American-born writer Len Richmond, who had worked on Three's Company and the US version of Man About The House.
It was no problem for Agony aunt Maureen; We look back 40 years to the launch of LWT comedy series Agony..
Qassim, a 19-year-old Emirati, and Fernando, an 18-year-old Sri Lankan, came together to tell the story of a character named Agony who achieves "happiness through persistence" -- a theme they felt many young people could relate to.
UAE-based duo win recognition with 'Agony' album
Trump replied back to his comments, tweeting, "Alec, it was agony for those who were forced to watch."
Alec Baldwin will return on 'SNL' as Trump
And when offering tips to spice up their sex life, 'Agony Anna' also told the woman to "splash out" at Ann Summers while suggesting her hubby may have a fetish.
Agony aunt's advice rapped; sex discussion unsuitable for kids
On Monday, Mandmind updated fans of its video game via (https://steamcommunity.com/games/487720/announcements/detail/1681414081389917641) Steam about it decision to terminate the development of the unrated version of "Agony" for PC.
'Agony' Developer Cancels Unrated Version For PC
Struggling between relief and agony, they hate to hear what they have always wanted to know - what actually happened to their son that dreadful early morning of Sept.
Lacson: Our hearts go out to Atio's parents
The book written by Berwick Hillsborn author Jamie Boyle, called 'Sykes: Unfinished Agony', and its upcoming sequel, 'Sykes: Further Agony', have now been lined up for a film.
story of top underworld figure to become film Notorious hardman's life set for big screen
WHEN your mother's a famous agony aunt taking up a profession that's wildly different must be high on the agenda - so becoming a food reviewer with a sideline in jazz has established Jay Rayner as, not only an entertainer, but an expert in his own right.
Jazzy Jay heads west; Famous foodie Jay Rayner brings his show to Swansea complete with food nightmares, grisly reviews and stories from his late mother agony aunt Claire
you get an ology you're a scientist..." - the TV nation was first introduced to Maureen Lipman in the sitcom Agony.
Agony that made a star of Maureen
Sunderland-born Denise Robertson is perhaps best known as the resident agony aunt on the ITV show This Morning, appearing since its first ever broadcast on October 3, 1988 - but the writer and broadcaster's credentials go back even further.
The Changing Face of Agony; Denise Robertson will be sharing her life experiences - and unrivalled advice - on her home turf in March
However she admitted to a disastrous attempt at teeth whitening which left her in agony.
It's all white on the night
It added that Jbouri is personally following up the agony of Sinjar displaced people and working with all sectors to end such crisis.
Izidi sufferings is a catastrophe, Jbouri
In the past, sympathetic doctors - seeing their patient in agony, may have administered quantities of drugs that reduce the pain, but might marginally accelerate death.
End of life anguish torments UK legislators