Idioms

a storm in a teacup

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a storm in a teacup

A disproportionate reaction of anger, concern, or displeasure over some minor or trivial matter. If you ask me, these protests are nothing but a storm in a teacup that's been stoked by a media campaign of misinformation. I really think you're making a storm in a teacup over this. It's just a tiny scratch on the car! A: "Does anyone know why Al's so upset?" B: "Oh, it's just the usual storm in a teacup—someone ate his leftovers again."
See also: storm, teacup
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

a storm in a teacup

BRITISH
If you say that a situation is a storm in a teacup, you mean people are very upset or annoyed about something that is not at all important and will soon be forgotten. Parnell said that he thought the whole matter a storm in a teacup, and that it would pass quickly. Note: The usual American expression is a tempest in a teapot.
See also: storm, teacup
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

a storm in a teacup

great excitement or anger about a trivial matter.
A North American variant of this expression is a tempest in a teapot .
1998 Times A storm in a teacup? Who cares about a bunch of seeds?
See also: storm, teacup
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

a storm in a ˈteacup

(British English) (American English a tempest in a ˈteapot) (informal) a small or unimportant problem which is treated as much more serious than it really is: Don’t worry. It’s a storm in a teacup. Everyone will have forgotten about it by tomorrow.
See also: storm, teacup
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in classic literature
"Is anything wrong?" said the matron, putting away her book with the unconcerned resignation of an experienced person who foresees a storm in a teacup. "Where is Sidney?"
And to add insult to injury the USA's matchwinner Alex Morgan caused a storm in a teacup with her stirring goal celebration.
Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony described the development as a "storm in a teacup."
The hue and cry over Mr Nawaz's statement is like a storm in a teacup because we as a nation cannot accept the truth.
Despite the Punjab government's brave stance on the Women's Bill, there are many naysayers from within and the fundos have succeeded in unleashing a storm in a teacup. First they took issue with the gutsy Law Min, RS of the big black moustache, and declared that he wanted to "compromise the dignity of men" by making them wear that dreaded bracelet, now a universal tracking device.
Jamal Rahman, acclaimed music producer and CEO, True Brew Records, collaborated with LussunTV, Rafi Peer and Cityfm89 at Peeru's Cafe on the first of its kind all day live music festival 'Storm in a Teacup'.
The Middle East coronavirus, which has killed 82 people worldwide, may be just "a storm in a teacup", two senior Saudi health ministry doctors have suggested.
The postman refused to confirm it was his nickname with sorting office colleagues at Erdington, Birmingham, but said: "It's a storm in a teacup. He isn't a racist."
"It is a storm in a teacup and hasn't had any repercussions in the dressing room, which is most important."
Songs like You've got Your Troubles, Here It Comes Again Freedom Come Freedom Go and Storm In A Teacup, continue to shine under the current line-up of Bob Jackson, Michael Smitham, Eddie Mooney and Glenn Taylor.
STORM IN A TEACUP iPhone, pounds 0.59 CUTESY platforming apps may be ten-a-penny on consoles and smartphones alike, but true success all depends on the delivery.
Rating: 70% Storm In A Teacup Platform: iPhone Genre: Platform Price: pounds 0.59 ASIN: N/A Cutesy platforming apps may be ten-a-penny on consoles and smartphones alike, but true success all depends on the delivery.
It was a storm in a teacup, as so many people have described it.
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