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tempest in a teapot
01
an overly angry or worried reaction over something unimportant
What is the origin of the idiom "tempest in a teapot" and when to use it?
The idiom "tempest in a teapot" is a figurative expression used to describe a situation where there is an excessive, exaggerated, or unnecessary display of strong emotion, conflict, or drama over a minor or inconsequential issue. It originates from the idea that a teapot or teakettle is small and contains only a limited amount of liquid, so any disturbance inside it, such as boiling water, would be confined and insignificant. Thus, this idiom suggests that the commotion is much more significant than the issue warrants.
Example
I really think you're making a tempest in a teapot over this.
The argument at the meeting turned into a tempest in a teapot over the choice of office paint colors.
She tends to create a tempest in a teapot about every small disagreement at work, causing unnecessary tension.
Their heated debate about the family vacation destination became a tempest in a teakettle.
If you ask me, these protests are nothing but a tempest in a teakettle that's been stoked by a media campaign of misinformation.
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