Делать из мухи слона
Delat iz mukhi slona
Word-for-word
"To make an elephant out of a fly"
English equivalent
"To make a mountain out of a molehill"
What does it mean?
To exaggerate a minor problem into a major disaster.
Example in use
Russian
Не паникуй, ты опять делаешь из мухи слона!
Translation
Don't panic, you are making a mountain out of a molehill again!
When to use
Use this when someone is overreacting to a small issue. It is a very common way to call for perspective and calmness during stressful moments, especially in personal relationships or team conflicts.
Origin & cultural note
This is a universal metaphor. In Russian culture, it is often used by parents to children or between close friends to point out unnecessary drama. It highlights the human tendency to perceive small obstacles as insurmountable hurdles.
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