tempest in a teacup

a tempest 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 tempest in a teacup that's been stoked by a media campaign of misinformation. I really think you're making a tempest 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: teacup, tempest

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

tempest in a teacup

 and tempest in a teapot

an argument or disagreement over a very minor matter. The entire issue of who was to present the report was just a tempest in a teapot. The argument at the office turned into a tempest in a teacup. No one really cared about the outcome.

See also: teacup, tempest

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.