The word "hokey" is an adjective that describes something that feels insincere, overly sentimental, or fake. It often refers to things like movies, songs, or speeches that try very hard to be emotional or touching but come across as exaggerated or not genuine.
In more sophisticated writing, you might encounter "hokey" used to critique art forms or performances that lack authenticity or depth. For instance, you might say, "The play's hokey dialogue detracted from its otherwise compelling storyline."
While "hokey" primarily refers to insincerity, it can also imply something that is just silly or cheesy. For example, "That magic trick was so hokey, but everyone enjoyed it."
There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "hokey," but you might hear phrases like "lay it on thick," which means to exaggerate feelings or praise in a way that sounds insincere.
In summary, "hokey" is a word you can use to describe things that are overly sentimental or feel fake.