Make a mountain out of a molehill
/meɪk ə ˈmaʊntɪn aʊt əv ə ˈməʊlhɪl/neutralUK · US
What does “Make a mountain out of a molehill” mean?
Make a mountain out of a molehill means to treat a small problem as if it were a much more serious one.
A small delay or a minor mistake becomes a major problem in someone's telling. Saying they're making a mountain out of a molehill means you think they're overreacting.
That judgement can be hurtful if their concern is reasonable. The phrase tells us how the speaker sees the problem, not how serious it really is.
When do people say it?
Use it when you think someone's reaction is out of proportion to the actual problem.
“It is one spelling mistake, not a disaster; let's not make a mountain out of a molehill.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
A molehill is a small pile of earth made by a mole. Turning it into a mountain is a picture of making a small problem seem huge.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Make a mountain out of a molehill” in other languages?
Related idioms
- A storm in a teacup, Great anger or worry about something unimportant.
- Cry over spilt milk, To worry uselessly about past mistakes.
Last updated 2026-09-16