a disaster of epic proportions
A catastrophe. Often used figuratively. Meteorologists have been predicting that the hurricane will be a disaster of epic proportions for us because we're so close to the coast. Oh, my attempt to ask Addison to the dance was a disaster of epic proportions—I could only squeak out a few incoherent words before turning completely red and running away. Her dance routine in the talent show was a disaster of epic proportions. We all felt embarrassed for her!
be out of all proportion
To be totally incorrect in size or scale in relation to other things. The crime rate in this city is out of all proportion to its population size. It was just a minor tremor, not even a proper earthquake, but it is out of all proportion in the media. No, it wasn't a big deal, but it's out of all proportion now because Louis took it personally, as usual.
be out of proportion
To be incorrect in size or scale in relation to other things. The crime rate in this city is out of proportion to its population size. It was just a minor tremor, not even a proper earthquake, so the media attention it's getting is totally out of proportion. No, it wasn't a big deal, but it's out of proportion now because Louis took it personally, as usual.
blow (something) out of (all) proportion
To make something seem more important, negative, or significant than it really is; to exaggerate something or focus unnecessary attention on something. I'm sure he didn't mean anything by that comment—don't blow it out of proportion. Of course she's mad at me because I didn't call her back—you can always count on my mom to blow something out of all proportion! It's just a small inconvenience, don't blow it out of proportion and make it sound like the end of the world.
blow (something) up out of proportion
To indicate, imply, or argue that something is more important or consequential than it really is; to overinflate the importance of something. Don't blow this up out of proportion, Bill—I was late because of traffic, and that's it. It's just a small inconvenience, don't blow it up out of proportion and make it sound like the end of the world. Of course she's mad at me because I didn't call her back—you can always count on my mom to blow something up out of proportion!
blown (all) out of proportion
Exaggerated or magnified beyond the true scale or truth of the matter. It was just a minor tremor, not even a proper earthquake, but the media has it blown all out of proportion. These reports on the crime rate are blown out of proportion, if you ask me. No, it wasn't a big deal, but it's blown out of all proportion now because Louis took it personally, as usual.
grow all out of proportion
To become larger in size or in scale than is correct or appropriate (in relation to something else). The price of property in this city started growing all out of proportion to the population size years ago. The public backlash to this issue has grown all out of proportion, if you ask me, fueled by misinformation from our political opponents. The company's influence on the economy grew all out of proportion, leading it to become too big to fail before long.
grow out of all proportion
To become far larger in size or in scale than is correct or appropriate (in relation to something else). The price of property in this city started growing out of all proportion to the population size years ago. The public backlash to this issue has grown out of all proportion, if you ask me, fueled by misinformation from our political opponents. The company's influence on the economy grew out of all proportion, leading it to become too big to fail before long.
grow out of proportion
To become larger in size or in scale than is correct or appropriate (in relation to something else). The price of property in this city started growing out of proportion to the population size years ago. The public backlash to this issue has grown out of proportion, if you ask me, fueled by misinformation from our political opponents. The company's influence on the economy grew out of proportion, leading it to become too big to fail before long.
in proportion
1. Correctly sized in comparison with something else. Hey, that guy you drew is not in proportion with the buildings in the background. Everything looks to be in proportion to me. This is a lovely painting! You went to art school—how do I get these objects in my drawing to be in proportion?
2. In a realistic or appropriate manner, as opposed to granting something more importance, negativity, or significance than it actually warrants. I know we're all shocked by the announcement, but let's try to keep it in proportion—no one is losing their job, and no one is getting a decrease in pay. In reality, it's just a rearrangement of responsibilities. In the age of social media, people seem incapable of keeping current events in proportion. Come on, let's keep everything in proportion. Honestly, we don't know enough about the situation to blow it out of proportion!
keep (something) in proportion
To refrain from regarding or depicting something in an exaggerated or overblown manner; to not regard or depict something as more important, negative, or significant than it really is. I know we're all shocked by the announcement, but let's try to keep it in proportion—no one is losing their job, and no one is getting a decrease in pay. In reality, it's just a rearrangement of responsibilities. In the age of social media, people seem incapable of keeping current events in proportion.
of biblical proportions
Of a huge or catastrophic size, magnitude, or severity. The typhoon laid waste to the coast of Japan, causing damage of biblical proportions. An evacuation of biblical proportions has been underway since the civil war began.
of epic proportions
1. Extremely large and powerful in scale. Meteorologists have been predicting that the hurricane will be a disaster of epic proportions for us because we're so close to the coast.
2. To an extreme or incredible degree. Oh, my attempt to ask Addison to the dance was a failure of epic proportions—I could only squeak out a few incoherent words before turning completely red and running away. The film will be an adventure of epic proportions for viewers of all ages!
out of all proportion
Not at all the correct size or scale in relation to other things. The crime rate in this city is out of all proportion to its population size. It was just a minor tremor, not even a proper earthquake, but the media has blown it out of all proportion.
out of proportion
Not the correct size or scale in relation to other things. The crime rate in this city is way out of proportion to its population size. It was just a minor tremor, not even a proper earthquake, but the media has it blown all out of proportion.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.