make a mountain out of a molehill

make a mountain out of a molehill

Cliché to make a major issue out of a minor one; to exaggerate the importance of something. Come on, don't make a mountain out of a molehill. It's not that important. Mary is always making mountains out of molehills.

See also: make, mountain, of, out

make a mountain out of a molehill

Exaggerate trifling difficulties, as in If you forgot you racket you can borrow one-don't make a mountain out of a molehill. This expression, alluding to the barely raised tunnels created by moles, was first recorded in John Fox's The Book of Martyrs (1570).

See also: make, mountain, of, out

make a mountain out of a molehill

If someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they talk or complain about a small, unimportant problem as if it is important and serious. The company's CEO has blamed the media for making a mountain out of a molehill. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill — it's really not a big deal.

See also: make, mountain, of, out

make a mountain out of a molehill

foolishly or pointlessly exaggerate the importance of something trivial.

The contrast between the size of molehills and that of mountains has been made in this and related expressions since the late 16th century.

See also: make, mountain, of, out

make a ˌmountain out of a ˈmolehill

(disapproving) make a small or unimportant problem seem much more serious than it really is: It’s not such a big problem! You’re making a mountain out of a molehill!

See also: make, mountain, of, out

make a mountain out of a molehill

To exaggerate a minor problem.

See also: make, mountain, of, out