Exaggerating a situation is making a mountain out of a mole, which can lead to ridicule and being ignored in serious situations. People tend to exaggerate situations they are personally involved in, but it’s important to consider the situation before reacting.
When someone is accused of making a mountain out of a mole, the implication is that they are exaggerating a situation, making it seem much bigger and more important than it really is. It can also be a hint that the person is too involved and petty to understand that situation, as for an ant, a mole is a mountain. This proverb can also be reversed, with people accused of making a mole out of a mountain when they underestimate a situation or problem.
Numerous terse folk sayings all boil down to the same basic idea, that someone is making too much of a fuss about a given situation. People can be accused of making storms in teapots, for example, or making much ado about nothing. The widespread use and incredible diversity of such sayings is perhaps a testament to the human tendency to exaggerate situations, especially situations in which one is personally involved, as this makes the situation seem more important and more interesting.
When you make a mountain out of a mole, you expose yourself to some danger, mostly in the form of ridicule. When people believe that a situation doesn’t really matter and someone stretches the truth to make it seem bigger, the response is generally not very favorable. If someone becomes known for making mountains with moles, he may well be ignored in a really serious situation that deserves attention.
The desire to exaggerate a situation is certainly understandable, especially when it’s a cause someone cares about or feels particularly passionate about. For example, someone who is rabidly anti-development might be angry about a three-house development as about 70 houses, with the same emotions driving both responses. If this person chooses to make a mountain of a mole when he protests the three-home development, however, people may be less inclined to listen when he files a protest against the 70-home development.
Making something out of nothing is a popular pastime for some people, and the rejoinder for “don’t make a mountain out of a mole” is usually designed to strike a cautionary note. If you’re feeling agitated about a situation or event, take some time to calm down and consider the situation before exaggerating.
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