ham it up

to show expressions or emotions more obviously than is realistic Here's a picture of Philip hamming it up for grandma when he was only three.

Usage notes: usually said about expressions made to amuse others

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of ham (an actor who performs with very obvious emotions and expressions)

Name	Pronounced	Usage
Peggy	PEG-ee	English
Prateek	-	Indian, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali
Jurian	-	Medieval Low German
Despoina	-	Greek Mythology, Greek
NÁNdor	-	Hungarian
Balaam	['beilæm]