Make a Mountain Out of a Molehill, To
Definition: To exaggerate trifling problems. Imagine turning a tiny molehill into a towering, insurmountable mountain—now that’s some creative overstatement!
Related Expressions:
- Blow Out of Proportion - Making something seem more significant than it really is.
- Storm in a Teacup (UK) or Tempest in a Teapot (US) - A lot of fuss over something trivial.
- Big Fish Story - Telling exaggerated stories, often about one’s own achievements or exploits.
- Drama King/Queen - Someone who makes a drama out of every little issue.
Proverbs and Common Phrases:
- French Equivalent: Faire d’une mouche un éléphant (make an elephant out of a fly)
- Latin Wisdom: “Parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus” (Mountains will be in labor, and an absurd mouse will be born)
Humor-filled Quotes:
- “I once made such a mountain out of a molehill, the mole got altitude sickness.”
- “Why make a mountain out of a molehill when you can make a whole mountain range?”
Literature, Books, and Movies:
- “Don Quixote” by Miguel de Cervantes - A novel that exemplifies making mountains out of molehills in its protagonist’s exaggerated view of reality.
- “Catch-22” by Joseph Heller - This book beautifully captures the madness of making much ado about nothing.
- “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” by Douglas Adams - Full of comedic exaggeration and whimsical overstatement.
Inspiration and Thoughts
“Sometimes, life’s molehills get turned into mountains in our minds. Remember, the mole didn’t intend for its quaint abode to become Everest.” - F. Antiddler
“Perspective is everything. A problem is only as big as we make it out to be.” - Anonymous
### Which expression means the same as 'make a mountain out of a molehill'?
- [x] Blow out of proportion
- [ ] Jump over the moon
- [ ] Swim with the fishes
- [ ] Ride the unicorn
> **Explanation:** "Blow out of proportion" also means making something appear more significant than it is, just like making a mountain out of a molehill.
### What is the French equivalent of 'make a mountain out of a molehill'?
- [x] Faire d’une mouche un éléphant
- [ ] Courir après la lune
- [ ] Nager avec des dauphins
- [ ] Food même Christine
> **Explanation:** "Faire d’une mouche un éléphant" means to make an elephant out of a fly, essentially the same as making a mountain out of a molehill.
### True or False: 'Storm in a Teacup' means the same as 'make a mountain out of a molehill'
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Absolutely true! 'Storm in a teacup' (or 'Tempest in a teapot') refers to making a big fuss over something trivial, just like making a mountain out of a molehill.
### Which famous humorist played on the phrase ‘make a mountain out of a molehill’?
- [ ] Mark Twain
- [x] Fred Allen
- [ ] Dorothy Parker
- [ ] Groucho Marx
> **Explanation:** Fred Allen humorously referred to the process of making a mountain out of a molehill in his book "Treadmill to Oblivion".
Inspirational Farewell:
“Remember, it’s all about perspective. Today’s mountains might just be tomorrow’s molehills. Stay grounded but don’t be afraid to reach for the peaks… no matter their size.”
- F. Antiddler
