make a mountain out of a molehill

phrase

: to treat a trifling matter as of great importance

Examples of make a mountain out of a molehill in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Avoid making a mountain out of a molehill as the moon and Saturn square off. — Usa Today, USA Today, 6 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of make a mountain out of a molehill was in 1570

Rhymes for make a mountain out of a molehill

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Browse Nearby Words

make a monkey out of
make a mountain out of a molehill
make a move
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Cite this Entry

“Make a mountain out of a molehill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20mountain%20out%20of%20a%20molehill. Accessed 13 Sep. 2026.

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