English Idiom – Storm in a teacup.
Meaning – A small event that has been exaggerated out of proportion. A lot of fuss over a trivial matter. This expression is used when something has been blown out of proportion.
This is a British English idiom. The American equivalent is Tempest in a teapot. A tempest is a violent storm.
A similar idiom to this is much ado about nothing. This expression can be used when you think someone is overreacting.
Weather idioms:
There are lots of popular idioms about the weather. Here are some of our favourites:
- Four sheets to the wind – Very drunk.
- It never rains but it pours – This expression is used when a lot of bad things happen at the same time.
- On cloud nine – Extremely happy.
- Raining cats and dogs – Raining very heavily.
- Snowed under – Very busy with work.
- Storm out – Leave angrily.
- Take a rain check – To decline an invitation, but you would like to rearrange for a later date.
- Under the weather – To feel ill.
Usage:
When could you use this idiom?
- If somebody is worrying about something that is not serious.
- When you think a person is making a big deal about a minor issue.
- If someone is upset about something trivial.
Example:
- “I don’t know why they are making such a big deal about the fight last night. It was just a storm in a teacup!”
In The News:
Adani issue a ‘storm in a tea cup’
Discuss:
- Is there an idiom like this in your country?
What is an idiom?
An idiom is a word or phrase that is not taken literally. An idiom is an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its individual words, but has a separate meaning of its own.
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