Definition of the word pile on

The expression "pile on" originated in the mid-19th century as a hunting term in Scotland. During wolf hunting, hunters would conspire to surround and trap a wolf by "piling on" from all sides, literally piling onto the wolf in a group. Over time, the term evolved and came to mean adding extra things or criticism to a situation, especially in a heap or in excess. The first recorded use of "pile on" outside of hunting contexts dates back to 1858 in an American newspaper, where it was used in reference to criticisms lobbed at a presidential candidate. Today, "pile on" is commonly used to describe situations where multiple people or issues are being added to a situation, often with little or no regard for its potential consequences or outcomes.