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Definition 2024


mountain_out_of_a_molehill

make a mountain out of a molehill

English

Verb

make a mountain out of a molehill

  1. (idiomatic) To treat a problem as greater than it is; to blow something out of proportion; to exaggerate the importance of something trivial
    If you're stuck in traffic, try not to make a mountain out of a molehill worrying about it too much. It could be much worse.
    • 1913, D.H. Lawrence, Sons and Lovers, chapter 7
      "It is only an old umbrella, isn't it?" she asked.
      She wondered why he, who did not usually trouble over trifles, made such a mountain of this molehill.

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