Translation guide
This English idiom means to exaggerate a minor problem into something much bigger. Japanese has several expressions that convey a similar idea, often using metaphors about small things becoming large or making a fuss over nothing.
To express that someone is blowing a minor issue out of proportion.
Japanese proverbs that capture the essence of the English idiom.
In casual conversation, Japanese speakers often use 大げさ (exaggeration) or 大騒ぎ (big fuss) rather than idiomatic expressions. For example, 'You're making a mountain out of a molehill' can simply be 「大げさだよ」 or 「大騒ぎしすぎだよ」.
Do not translate the English idiom literally into Japanese. Phrases like 「モグラ塚から山を作る」 are not used and will not be understood.
A yojijukugo (four-character idiom) literally meaning 'needle small, stick big'. It describes exaggerating something trivial into something huge. Often used as a noun or with する.
彼の話はいつも針小棒大だ。
His stories are always making a mountain out of a molehill.
その噂は針小棒大に伝えられた。
The rumor was blown way out of proportion.
A common, everyday phrase meaning 'to exaggerate' or 'to make a big deal out of something'. More versatile and less metaphorical than the idiom.
彼はいつも小さなことを大げさに言う。
He always makes a big deal out of small things.
そんなに大げさに言わなくてもいいよ。
You don't have to exaggerate so much.
Means 'to make a big fuss' or 'to raise a huge commotion'. Implies overreacting to something minor.
ちょっとしたミスで大騒ぎするな。
Don't make a mountain out of a molehill over a small mistake.
Literally 'to turn a small matter into a big one'. A direct but less common expression. Can sound a bit stiff.
彼は小事を大事にする傾向がある。
He tends to make mountains out of molehills.
Literally 'a sparrow's tears', meaning a very small amount. Often used to say something is negligible, but can be used ironically when someone treats a tiny thing as significant.
This phrase itself means 'a tiny amount', not directly 'exaggerating'. Use it to highlight the insignificance of the thing being exaggerated.
そんな雀の涙ほどのことで怒るなよ。
Don't get angry over such a trivial thing (literally 'a sparrow's tears').
Proverb meaning 'to hear one and understand ten', i.e., to be quick-witted. Can be used sarcastically when someone jumps to huge conclusions from a tiny hint, similar to making a mountain out of a molehill.
彼は一を聞いて十を知るタイプだから、小さな噂を大げさに広げる。
He's the type to hear one thing and infer ten, so he blows small rumors out of proportion.