<P> The idiom is a metaphor for the common behaviour of responding disproportionately to something - usually an adverse circumstance . One who `` makes a mountain out of a molehill '' is said to be greatly exaggerating the severity of the situation . In cognitive psychology , this form of distortion is called magnification or overreacting . The phrase itself is so common that a study by psychologists found that with respect to familiarity and image value , it ranks high among the 203 common sayings they tested . </P>
<P> The idiom is a metaphor for the common behaviour of responding disproportionately to something - usually an adverse circumstance . One who `` makes a mountain out of a molehill '' is said to be greatly exaggerating the severity of the situation . In cognitive psychology , this form of distortion is called magnification or overreacting . The phrase itself is so common that a study by psychologists found that with respect to familiarity and image value , it ranks high among the 203 common sayings they tested . </P>
meaning of idiom make a mountain out of a molehill
meaning of idiom make a mountain out of a molehill
responding disproportionately to something
responding disproportionately to something