# blow out of proportion

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/blow-out-of-proportion
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To overreact to or overstate; to treat too seriously or be overly concerned with.

## Examples

- Please do not blow this small mistake out of proportion.
- He was late by only five minutes, but his boss blew the situation out of proportion.
- The media often blows minor political disagreements out of proportion, causing unnecessary public panic and deepening existing social divisions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.