over-egg the pudding

over-egg the pudding

To get something wrong or make something worse by doing too much of something or trying too hard to improve a situation. Primarily heard in UK. I think we've over-egged the pudding with the amount of technology we've crammed into our daily lives—no one knows how to have a quiet moment anymore. The latest budget over-eggs the pudding yet again, spreading resources across too many sectors without enough funds to actually fix any of them.
See also: pudding
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

over-egg the pudding

mainly BRITISH
If someone over-eggs the pudding, they spoil something by trying too hard to improve it. You can buy all sorts of extras for the car, but it's very easy to over-egg the pudding. Note: Other nouns are sometimes used instead of pudding. The band certainly knew how to over-egg the cake, with no song being complete unless it had three tempo changes and a loud finale.
See also: pudding
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

over-egg the pudding (or cake)

go too far in embellishing, exaggerating, or doing something.
Excessive quantities of egg in a pudding could either make it too rich or cause it not to set or cook correctly.
1998 Spectator This is a noble end, but in her eagerness to reach it Duffy somewhat over-eggs the cake.
See also: pudding
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌover-egg the ˈpudding

used to say that you think somebody has done more than is necessary, or has added unnecessary details to make something seem better or worse than it really is: If you’re telling lies, keep it simple — never over-egg the pudding.
See also: pudding
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • a ghost at the feast
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • a fast talker
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • (you've) got to get up pretty early in the morning to (do something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
  • all for the best
References in periodicals archive
It's easy to over-egg the pudding on the basis of You-Tube clips and one training session - but as Ndoye worked with his new teammates on Thursday night, his physical tools were obvious.
Powerhouse to give team a backbone
Sometimes, when we refer to 'world-class' players in football, we over-egg the pudding. We exaggerate, we talk them up.
Hart did make a mistake but it's utter nonsense to suggest he should now be benched; SLOVAKIA v ENGLAND
You don't want to over-egg the pudding but you would think that the visit of Boro - table-toppers all through the ticket selling period and packed with what count as big name players in the Championship - should be one of their biggest games.
Like Middlesbrough College on steroids; Boro - and their 2,300-strong army of travelling supporters - made their first ever visit to MK Dons this week. The Gazette's ANTHONY VICKERS was there too and delivers his verdict
For more call 09050 700 437 Gemini May 22 - June 21 NOW that you're more inclined to over-egg the pudding, maybe you could hold back a bit.
stars WITH DAVID WELLS
"They tend to over-egg the pudding and put lots of things on.
Glynn gets a big hand to help create his own watch company
Kant, both 2009, Millet just about manages not to over-egg the pudding. In the former, two clear boxes, attached to each other and the wall by a single thread, are rendered visible primarily through the gentle shade they produce.
Laurent Millet
WHEN assessing the spread markets after writing fixed-odds previews, it is easy to over-egg the pudding and try to find alternatives to supporting our outright selections, writes Steve Palmer.
So hard to see Crane blow it; GOLF
"Not to over-egg the pudding, just to let the song breathe.
Bit of Sheffield steel comes CROONER: Richard Hawley to the Phil; with Jade Wright Music O2 Entertainment Writer of the Year jadewright@liverpoolecho.co.uk
"The show stands up on its own, so you don't need to over-egg the pudding."
Glad to be back! cover star Let's get ready to rumble with the all-new Gladiators Oblivion, Battleaxe, Atlas, Enigma, Panther, Tempest, Tornado, Ice, Predator, Inferno, Spartan and Destroyer
However, will you be tempted to over-egg the pudding? As seductive as you can be, people will sense whether you are being sincere or not.
Your week ahead
Sadly this is not the first time that the Chancellor has attempted to over-egg the pudding in relation to the Government's regional policies.
It's time to paddle our own canoe
I don't want to over-egg the pudding on this one but the question popped into my head again this week when I saw that Gary McAllister was fourth favourite to take over from Peter Reid at Leeds Unit-ed.
LETTERS: WHAT'S SO GOOD ABOUT OUR MEN?; BACK of the NET THE WEBSITE VIEW
Although it's been clear from the start that there is a strong Christian allegory on show here, the fact that Neo becomes more and more Christ-like as he enters the matrix does over-egg the pudding.
Back Row
"I did over-egg the pudding a little and that was foolish but the idea that I'm some kind of purveyor of drugs is preposterous."
I'm the fall guy. The Palace are making me lose everything so they can save Sophie's skin; EXCLUSIVE: SHAMED PR BOSS SPEAKS OUT
Ian continues: "Hopefully it'll go better this time and we'll win round the crowd with our angelic smiles, choirboy voices and Rickenbackers." Okay Farqhar, don't over-egg the pudding.
Another fix for the weekend; go 2: TO THE GROUND