1 C1 idiomatic informal
To add excessive, manipulative sentimentality to something, especially a creative work.
"The director schmaltzy up the ending with a tearful reunion that felt completely unearned."
separable
schmaltz up
C1 informal separable transitive
To make something excessively sentimental, emotionally manipulative, or mawkishly sweet.
In plain English
To add too many mushy, emotional feelings to something so it becomes overly soppy.
What does "schmaltz up" mean?
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To coat something with schmaltz (fat) — the idiom derives from the Yiddish meaning of excessive sentimentality.
Actually means
To add too many mushy, emotional feelings to something so it becomes overly soppy.
Usage tip
'Schmaltz' comes from Yiddish, meaning rendered chicken fat, and has come to mean excessive sentimentality. 'Schmaltz up' is rare and mostly encountered in reviews of music, film, or writing. Used critically.
Words that pair with "schmaltz up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
movie song story ending performance script
How to conjugate "schmaltz up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
schmaltz up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
schmaltzes up
he/she/it
Past simple
schmaltzed up
yesterday
Past participle
schmaltzed up
have + pp
-ing form
schmaltzing up
continuous
Hear "schmaltz up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "schmaltz up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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