a storm in a teacup

Register · Neutral Neutral — appropriate in most situations, both spoken and written, without sounding too casual or too stiff. CEFR C1

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Figurative meaning

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

Why this phrase?

Pictures a violent storm absurdly confined to a tiny teacup.

Example

“The argument was just a storm in a teacup and soon blew over.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

at the end of the day Informal · CEFR B1

ultimately; when everything is considered

can of worms Informal · CEFR B1

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

get out of hand Neutral · CEFR B1

To become impossible to control.

on the other hand Neutral · CEFR B1

used to introduce a contrasting point of view or alternative

overall picture Neutral · CEFR B1

the complete view of a situation, including all the main parts

pros and cons Neutral · CEFR B1

the advantages and disadvantages of something

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

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