Crossword Genius

Uses an ingredient but exaggerates (5,1,4,2,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

makes a meal of it

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'exaggerates' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'uses an ingredient' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'an' could be 'i' (Roman numeral for one) and 'i' is found in the answer.
'ingredient' could be 'meal' (meal is a kind of ingredient) and 'meal' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'but' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for makes a meal of it that I've seen is " Exaggerates".)

I've seen this clue in The Daily Express.
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