make a mountain out of a molehill

Cultural  

1. To blow an issue or event out of proportion: “You have only a small blister on your heel, but you complain as though you broke your leg. Why are you making a mountain out of a molehill?”

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make a mountain out of a molehill Idioms  

1. 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).

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

make a mountain out of a molehill

“I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill, but I also want to be careful to follow what the rules are,” he said.

From Seattle Times ● Aug. 5, 2020

To head the Council of Economic Advisers, I nominate my Aunt Ruby, who never once failed to make a mountain out of a molehill.

From Washington Post ● Apr. 26, 2018

“I don’t want to make a mountain out of a molehill on this,” he said.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 11, 2014

We have just enough men on both sides who look at today and fail to look for tomorrow, and who are anxious to make a mountain out of a molehill.

From Time Magazine Archive

A gossip is one who can make a mountain out of a molehill and then bring it to you.

From More Toasts by Mosher, Marion Dix