THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Blow things out of proportion
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
To make events or problems seem much more serious or important than they really are.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- One missing label is annoying, but let us not blow things out of proportion.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
One missing label is annoying, but let us not ________.
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Blow things out of proportion — To make events or problems seem much more serious or important than they really are.
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Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Blow things out of proportion” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
To make events or problems seem much more serious or important than they really are.
Compare: One missing label is annoying, but let us not blow things out of proportion.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use it when discussing exaggerated reactions. It is conversational and can sound dismissive, so establish the facts before judging someone’s concern.
More examples in context
- The report blew a small scheduling mistake out of proportion.
- I worried that my nervous retelling had blown the whole incident out of proportion.
Usage note
You can replace things with the issue: “blow a mistake out of proportion.” The past form is blew; the participle is blown.
A short conversation
A: Does this small typo mean the whole report is unusable?
B: Let us not blow it out of proportion. We can correct the file.
A: I will upload a revised copy.
One more practice question
Who is blowing a problem out of proportion?
A. Someone describing a minor, easily fixed error as a total catastrophe.
B. Someone calmly describing the error and its actual consequences.
Check your answer
A. The description exaggerates the seriousness of the problem.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.