EXAGGERATING

exaggerate /ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt/ (v):

#1. [intransitive, transitive] ​to make something seem larger, better, worse or more important than it really is.

The hotel was really filthy and I'm not exaggerating.

exaggerate something He tends to exaggerate the difficulties.

I'm sure he exaggerates his Irish accent (= tries to sound more Irish than he really is).

Demand for the product has been greatly exaggerated.​

hype /haɪp/ (v):

#1. (informal, disapproving) ​to advertise something a lot and make its good qualities seem better than they actually are, in order to get a lot of public attention for it.

(hype something) This week his much hyped new movie opens in London.

(hype something up as something) The meeting was hyped up in the media as an important event.

escalate /ˈeskəleɪt/ (v):

#1. [intransitive, transitive] ​to become greater, worse, more serious, etc.; to make something greater, worse, more serious, etc.

the escalating costs of healthcare

escalate into something The fighting escalated into a full-scale war.

escalate something (into something) We do not want to escalate the war.

make up (phrasal verb):

#1. to invent a story, etc., especially in order to trick or entertain somebody.

He made up some excuse about his daughter being sick.

I told the kids a story, making it up as I went along.

You made that up!