out of proportion
(redirected from blow something out of 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. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
*out of (all) proportion
of exaggerated importance; of an unrealistic importance or size compared to something else. (*Typically: be ~; blow something ~; grow ~.) Thisproblem has grown out of all proportion. Yes, this figure is way out of proportion to the others in the painting.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
out of proportion
Also, out of all proportion. Not in proper relation to other things, especially by being the wrong size or amount. For example, This vase looks out of proportion on this small table, or Her emotional response was out of all proportion to the circumstances. The noun proportion means "an agreeable or harmonious relationship of one thing relative to another." [Early 1700s] The antonym in proportion dates from the late 1600s and also refers either to physical size or appropriate degree, as in The bird's wings are huge in proportion to its body, or Her willingness to believe him stands in direct proportion to her love for intrigue.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
out of (all) proˈportion (to something)
greater or more important, serious, etc. than it really is or should be: When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get things out of proportion. ♢ The punishment is out of all proportion to the crime.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017