Chew Up the Scenery

Etymology:

• This term was popular in the theaters many years ago. A few actors used to act in an exaggerated manner and it seemed that the actions of the actor were out of control. Critics would describe them in a negative manner due to their poor performance. This criticism became a popular expression, which was used in different contexts later. This idiom was used to describe someone, who would put more than the required effort to act or show a particular scene.