Exaggerate vs You think too much of me

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Exaggerate

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb

You think too much of me

Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Exaggerate
 ExaggerateYou think too much of me
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt//🇬🇧 //juː θɪŋk tuː mʌtʃ əv miː//🇺🇸 //ju θɪŋk tu mʌtʃ əv mi//
MeaningTo make something seem bigger or more important than it is.You believe I am better than I really am.
ExampleHe tends to exaggerate his accomplishments during job interviews.When you say I'm the best in the team, I feel like you think too much of me.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsexaggerate a story, exaggerate the truth, exaggerate for effect, exaggerate a feelingthink too much of someone, think too much about, too much credit, high opinion, unrealistic expectations
Antonymsunderstate, minimize-
Common mistakesConfused with 'aggravate', meaning to make worse., Using it in a context where precision is important., Mixing up with 'exaggeration', its noun form.Confused with 'You think too little of me.', Using in formal contexts where it's too casual., Misinterpretation as a compliment.
Usage notesUse 'exaggerate' in contexts where you want to emphasize an overstated truth, but avoid it in formal reports or academic writing.Use this phrase to express that someone has an overly high opinion of you. It’s best used in casual conversations.

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Exaggerate
You think too much of me

Frequently asked questions: Exaggerate vs You think too much of me

What's the difference between Exaggerate and You think too much of me?

Exaggerate: To make something seem bigger or more important than it is. You think too much of me: You believe I am better than I really am.

Which is more common: Exaggerate and You think too much of me?

Exaggerate is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Exaggerate: He tends to exaggerate his accomplishments during job interviews. You think too much of me: When you say I'm the best in the team, I feel like you think too much of me.

Can I use Exaggerate and You think too much of me interchangeably?

Not always. Exaggerate and You think too much of me are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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