If you blow something out of proportion, then you make it seem more important than it actually is. We use this expression when someone overreacts or exaggerates the seriousness of a situation. As a result, the situation is given more attention than it deserves.
This expression can be used to refer to unfavorable behavior that occurs in both personal and professional contexts. For example:
- My friend is furious at me because I forgot to call her back last night. I told her it was an accident but she always blows things out of proportion.
- Gossip magazines always blow news stories out of proportion. I guess they’re trying to make them seem more interesting.
A. I’m sorry for getting so angry the other day. I think I was just really tired from work, so I blew the problem out of proportion.
B. Don’t worry about it. It happens to the best of us.
Did you know? This expression is similar to the idiom “Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill.” Both expressions refer to a situation, in which someone makes a big deal out of nothing.
We use the expression "It happens to the best of us" to mean "we all mistakes sometimes."