pile on the agony/gloom

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 on the gloom

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 gloom 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 gloom to the boss to try to get this Friday off work.
See also: gloom, on, pile
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

pile on the agony

exaggerate or aggravate a bad situation. informal
See also: agony, on, pile
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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • agony
  • pile on the agony
  • pile the agony on
  • pile the gloom on
  • pile on the gloom
  • maw
  • mee-maw
  • talk out of (one's) hat