reviewÜberprüfenchevron down
Verhalten und Ansatz /

Überreaktion

1 / 11
Beenden
1-
to blow something far / way out of proportion
2-
to make a mountain out of (a) molehill
3-
to make a song and dance about
4-
to split hairs
5-
tempest in a teapot
6-
to err on the side of something
7-
to get one's panties in a bunch
8-
much ado about nothing
9-
to go too far
10-
to (over-egg) the pudding
11-
to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
to [blow] {sth} (far|way|up|all|) out of proportion
to blow something far / way out of proportion
Phrase
uk flag
/blˈoʊ ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ fˈɑːɹ wˈeɪ ˌʌp ˈɔːl ˌaʊɾəv pɹəpˈoːɹʃən/
Spelling
Schließen
Anmelden
N/A

N/A

Idiom

to make a situation appear much bigger or more serious than it actually is

What is the origin of the idiom "blow something out of proportion" and when to use it?

The idiom "blow something out of proportion" originates from the realm of visual metaphor. It conveys the idea of exaggerating or magnifying the significance or seriousness of an event, issue, or situation beyond its actual or reasonable scale. This idiom suggests that someone has made something seem much more important, alarming, or dramatic than it truly is, often resulting in unnecessary panic or overreaction.

to [make] a mountain out of (a|) molehill
to make a mountain out of (a) molehill
Phrase
uk flag
/mˌeɪk ɐ mˈaʊntɪn ˌaʊɾəv ɐ mˈoʊlhɪl/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

to make a problem appear more serious or dangerous than it actually is

What is the origin of the idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill" and when to use it?

The idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill" originated in the 16th century and has been in use since then. This phrase draws upon the contrast between a tiny molehill, which is a small mound created by burrowing animals, and a towering mountain, highlighting the tendency of some individuals to amplify the importance of minor matters, often causing unnecessary worry or concern.

to [make] a song and dance about
to make a song and dance about
Phrase
uk flag
/mˌeɪk ɐ sˈɔŋ ænd dˈæns ɐbˈaʊt/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to react in an excessive way toward a minor thing

What is the origin of the idiom "make a song and dance about" and when to use it?

The idiom "make a song and dance about" has its origins in the world of theater and performance. This idiom suggests that someone is overemphasizing a situation, just like a performer making an elaborate and attention-grabbing performance on stage. It is commonly used to criticize individuals who are being melodramatic or overly demonstrative about a relatively unimportant matter.

to [split] hairs
to split hairs
Phrase
uk flag
/splˈɪt hˈɛɹz/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

to highlight insignificant details or small distinctions between two things

What is the origin of the idiom "split hairs" and when to use it?

The idiom "split hairs" has its roots in the image of dividing a single hair into smaller parts, which is a highly exacting and detailed task. It is used to describe the act of making excessively precise and often unnecessary distinctions in an argument, conversation, or situation.

tempest in a (teapot|teakettle)
tempest in a teapot
Phrase
uk flag
/tˈɛmpəst ɪn ɐ tˈiːpɑːt tˈiːkɛɾəl/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

an overly angry or worried reaction over something unimportant

What is the origin of the idiom "tempest in a teapot" and when to use it?

The idiom "tempest in a teapot" is a figurative expression used to describe a situation where there is an excessive, exaggerated, or unnecessary display of strong emotion, conflict, or drama over a minor or inconsequential issue. It originates from the idea that a teapot or teakettle is small and contains only a limited amount of liquid, so any disturbance inside it, such as boiling water, would be confined and insignificant. Thus, this idiom suggests that the commotion is much more significant than the issue warrants.

to [err] on the side of {sth}
to err on the side of something
Phrase
uk flag
/ˈɛɹ ɑːnðə sˈaɪd ʌv ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to act in a way that shows or uses something more than what is enough just to avoid any possible risk or problem

What is the origin of the idiom "err on the side of something" and when to use it?

The idiom "err on the side of something" suggests a cautious or conservative approach when making a decision or taking action. It originated from the idea of avoiding mistakes or errors by leaning toward the safer, more careful side of a choice. This expression is used to encourage individuals to choose the less risky option or make a decision that prioritizes safety, prudence, or moderation.

to [get] {one's} panties in a bunch
to get one's panties in a bunch
Phrase
uk flag
/ɡɛt wˈʌnz pˈæntɪz ɪn ɐ bˈʌntʃ/
N/A

N/A

Humorous
Idiom
Informal

to feel annoyed, angry, or upset

What is the origin of the idiom "get one's panties in a bunch" and when to use it?

The idiom "get one's panties in a bunch" is considered to be of American origin, but it does not have a well-documented historical source. It likely emerged in informal, everyday language without a clear historical record .It is used to describe someone becoming overly upset, agitated, or worked up over a minor or trivial issue, or reacting with unnecessary annoyance or irritation.

much ado about nothing
much ado about nothing
Phrase
uk flag
/mˈʌtʃ ɐdˈuː ɐbˌaʊt nˈʌθɪŋ/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

a great deal of attention that is given to matters of small importance

What is the origin of the idiom "much ado about nothing" and when to use it?

The idiom "much ado about nothing" originates from the title of William Shakespeare's comedy play, "Much Ado About Nothing," which was written in the late 16th century. In the play, the term is used to describe a situation in which a great deal of commotion or drama is made over something that ultimately turns out to be insignificant, trivial, or a misunderstanding.

to [go] too far
to go too far
Phrase
uk flag
/ɡˌoʊ tˈuː fˈɑːɹ/
N/A

N/A

Idiom

to make an attempt to do something that is extreme or unacceptable

What is the origin of the idiom "go too far" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "go too far" is not tied to a specific historical event or source. This expression is used to to indicate that a person has crossed the line or taken something to an extreme, often resulting in negative consequences or reactions. This idiom can be applied to a variety of contexts and serves as a reminder of the importance of moderation and avoiding excess.

to [over-egg] the pudding
to (over-egg) the pudding
Phrase
uk flag
/ˌoʊvɚɹˈɛɡ ðə pˈʊdɪŋ/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to make something more complicated than it needs to be

What is the origin of the idiom "over-egg the pudding" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "over-egg the pudding" is rooted in the culinary world, dating back to the 17th century. In the context of cooking, "over-egging" means adding too many eggs to a pudding, which could result in a dense or unappetizing dish. Over time, the expression evolved into a metaphor for embellishing or over-complicating things in various aspects of life.

to [use|take] a sledgehammer to crack a nut
to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
Phrase
uk flag
/jˈuːs tˈeɪk ɐ slˈɛdʒhæmɚ tə kɹˈæk ɐ nˈʌt/
N/A

N/A

Idiom
Informal

to put more energy and force than is necessary into doing something

What is the origin of the idiom "use a sledgehammer to crack a nut" and when to use it?

The idiom "use a sledgehammer to crack a nut" has its roots in the world of tools and construction. It arises from the practice of using a sledgehammer, a heavy and powerful tool, for the purpose of breaking a small and relatively fragile object, like a nut. This expression is commonly used to criticize a situation where someone is employing an overly complex or excessive approach to deal with a simple or minor problem.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch! !

Sie haben 11 Wörter von Overreaction gelernt. Um das Lernen und Überprüfen des Wortschatzes zu verbessern, beginnen Sie mit dem Üben!

review-disable

Überprüfen

flashcard-disable

Lernkarten

quiz-disable

Quiz

practice