pile on the gloom

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 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:
  • pile the gloom on
  • pile on the agony
  • pile on the agony/gloom
  • pile the agony on
  • agony
  • maw
  • mee-maw
  • talk out of (one's) hat
References in periodicals archive
Chris Templeman was also on the mark to pile on the gloom for the hosts who had Craig Malcolm and Martyn Campbell on target.
Gav walks all over Ayr
Scunthorpe are overpriced at 13-10 with Hills to win at Doncaster, Barnet (around 6-5) can send Carlisle crashing, and Millwall are sound bets at 5-4 to pile on the gloom for Grimsby.
Sports Betting: MACCA'S ACCA
Swankie fired a double with Chris Templeman also on the mark to pile on the gloom for Ayr who had Craig Malcolm and Martyn Campbell on target.
Gav walks all over Ayr