ham (redirected from hammed)

ham-fisted (British, American)

1. lacking skill with the hands. I hoped you weren't watching my ham-fisted attempts to get the cake out of the tin.

(British, American)

2. lacking skill in the way that you deal with people. The report criticizes the ham-fisted way in which complaints are dealt with.

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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)