chew the scenery

In the acting profession, to over-act, ham it up

Instead of chewing the scenery as he has in other films, the actor delivered a subtle performance.

by Barb July 30, 2003

chew the scenery

(of an actor) to deliver a bad or amateurish performance.

"in the final scene he was really chewing the scenery."

by Andrew Buntain May 13, 2003

chew the scenery

What people like Johnny Depp, Gary Oldman and William Shatner do for a living.

Lloyd: "Dude, did you see Gary Oldman in Dracula?"

Brett: "Yea, he didn't half chew the scenery. Almost as much as William Shatner in Star Trek."

Lloyd: "Or Johnny Depp in just about any of his films."

by Jilk O'Brie February 18, 2008