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[0964] Make a mountain out of a molehill

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English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • To greatly exaggerate the importance or severity of a minor problem, issue, or difficulty.
  • To overreact to something small as if it were a major disaster.

Origin

  • This idiom uses a stark visual contrast. A molehill is a very small mound of earth created by a mole, representing a trivial issue. A mountain is huge, representing a massive problem.
  • The phrase, dating back to the 16th century, highlights the absurdity of treating the tiny 'molehill' as if it were the enormous 'mountain'.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • Exaggerate
  • Overreact
  • Blow things out of proportion
  • Make a big deal out of nothing
  • A storm in a teacup (Chiefly UK, similar meaning)
  • Make a federal case out of it (US slang, implies treating a minor issue with excessive seriousness/complexity)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • Sweating the small stuff (Worrying excessively about minor details)
  • Freaking out (Overreacting emotionally)
  • Trippin' (AAVE/General Slang: Overreacting, worrying unnecessarily, acting irrationally)
  • Being extra (Modern Slang: Being overly dramatic or emotional)
  • Getting your panties in a bunch/twist (Informal/Slightly Vulgar: Getting upset over something minor)

Vulgar/Emphatic:

  • Making a big fucking deal out of nothing (Very direct and vulgar)

Milder:

  • Overstating the issue
  • Exaggerating the significance
  • Getting worked up over little things

Situational Appropriateness

  • Informal to semi-formal.
  • Can sound critical or dismissive, so be mindful of tone and relationship. Useful for gently pointing out overreaction among friends or colleagues.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • Requires understanding the metaphorical contrast. Learners might be confused by the literal impossibility.

Examples

  • It was just a tiny misunderstanding, don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • He's always making mountains out of molehills whenever plans change slightly.
  • Okay, maybe I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but I'm still worried.

Dialogue

Pat: I forgot to reply to one email! My boss is going to be furious! My career is over!

Chris: Whoa, deep breaths, Pat. It's just one email. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. Just send it now and apologize for the delay.

Pat: Yeah... okay. You're probably right. It just felt huge for a second.

Social Media Examples

  • Comment: Chill, everyone. Let's not make a mountain out of a molehill over a typo in the announcement.
  • Post: Reminder to myself: Stop making mountains out of molehills. Focus on what actually matters. #perspective #anxiety

Response Patterns

  • Agreement/Acceptance: You're right, sorry. I'm overreacting.
  • Defensiveness/Disagreement: I am *not* making a mountain out of a molehill! This is serious!
  • Justification: Maybe it seems like a molehill to you, but...

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person accused might try to explain why they feel it's important.
  • The speaker might offer reassurance or suggest a simple solution to the 'molehill'.
  • The conversation might shift to managing anxiety or perspective.

Conversation Starter

  • No.
  • Typically used as a response to someone perceived as overreacting.

Intonation

  • Often spoken with a tone of exasperation, dismissal, or gentle correction.
  • Stress falls on MOUNTAIN and MOLEHILL. You're MAKING a MOUNTAIN out of a MOLEHILL.

Generation Differences

  • Very common and understood across all generations. A classic idiom.

Regional Variations

  • Standard and common in all major English-speaking regions. The UK also uses storm in a teacup.
Throw caution to the wind
🎲 Cut the mustard