今天给大家介绍“小题大作”对应的英文表达:
make a mountain out of a molehill
据说这个英文短语诞生于400多年前,这么老的短语应为它表意的生动性,直到现在人气依然不减,属于高频用语。
人们通常用这个短语形容某人会把问题放大。molehill 指的是鼹鼠堆起的“小土堆”,和真正的山比起来,显然有很大差距。如果你把一座鼹鼠挖的小丘说成一座山,那就是夸大了一件小事,属于一种“小题大做”了。
我们来造几个句子,看看如何运用该短语:
1. You are making a mountain out of a molehill. Stop it!
你根本就是在小题大作,够了!
2. There are so many things which are simple, but someone always wants to make a mountain out of a molehill.
其实很多事情都很简单,但是有些人就会小题大作。
再看一组对话:
Mike: I can't believe the waiter forgot to bring me a glass of water.
迈克:我真不敢相信服务生居然忘记给我拿水了。
Jen: Well, he is really busy with all the customers here.
珍:他忙着招呼这里多有的客人。
Mike: I think I’m going to complain about it to the manager.
迈克:我要去跟经理投诉这件事。
Jen: Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill, just forget about it.
珍:别把事情闹大,算了吧。
另外,在英文中除了用 make a mountain out of a molehill 来表达“小题大作”的意思,还可以用到这些表达:
1. exaggerate:夸张,夸大
2. blow something out of proportion:夸大其词、言过其实
3. magnify the problem:把事情闹大
4. make a fuss:小题大做、大惊小怪