JLPT N1Four-character idioms
針小棒大
- Meaning
- 小さな出来事を大げさに言い立てること
- Explanation
- 「針小棒大」, from the contrast of speaking of something as small as a needle as if it were as large as a pole, refers to exaggerating and making a fuss over trivial matters. It is used in scenes criticizing the exaggerated embellishment of rumors or reports. Note that c3 is the different meaning of "fixating on trivial details," missing the core of exaggeration.
Original Japanese explanation
「針小棒大」は針のように小さいことを棒のように大きく言うという対比から、ささいな事を大げさに誇張して言い立てることをいう。うわさ話や報告の大げさな脚色を批判する場面で使う。c3 は「枝葉末節にこだわる」という別の意味で、誇張という核心を外している点に注意。
Quick check
Please choose the most appropriate meaning of 「針小棒大」.
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