Blow something out of proportion

By Pamela on October 28 2019

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."