to lay on the charm - Glite Dictionary

Examples

I'll lay on the charm.

The Month of August (2002)
She really knows how to lay on the charm when she wants something from her boss.
To impress the judges, he decided to lay on the charm during his presentation.
When meeting potential clients, it's important to lay on the charm to build rapport.

Synonyms

to acting cute

vsto lay on the charm

Informal

1 6.9

To try to seem sweet or playful to get attention

aims to flatter for a specific purpose beyond seeking attention

Antonyms

to offend

524 2.8

Cause a person to feel hurt, upset and angry because of your words or actions

to alienate

123 6.7

To make someone feel alone and lose support from others

How Charming

to butter up

Informal

13 4.2

to lay on the charm

Informal

1 5.8

to flatter

100 3.6

Surface Forms

lay on the charm infinitive

laying on the charm present participle

lays on the charm third person singular

laid on the charm past

laid on the charm past participle

Morphology

lay + on + the + charm

The expression combines 'lay on' (to apply or bestow) with 'charm' (to please or attract), so a learner who knows the constituents can plausibly infer it means to apply/display charm. However, the phrasal use 'lay on' and the pragmatic/colloquial nuance of flattering behaviour to achieve an aim are somewhat idiomatic and may not be fully predictable without exposure.

Etymology

The phrase lay on the charm may come from the image of someone who lays something on, like perfume or a coat, but here they put charm on a person with smiles and praise to win them over. So it now means 'to behave in a very charming or flattering way to get what you want'.