Significado
To exaggerate a small problem.
Contexto cultural
Swedes often use this idiom to maintain 'social decorum'. Being too loud or dramatic in public is generally frowned upon. The idiom is identical in Finland-Swedish, reflecting the shared linguistic history and similar cultural values of stoicism. In Swedish meetings, this phrase is a polite way to tell someone they are focusing on the wrong details. Swedish tabloids like Aftonbladet are often accused of 'making an elephant out of a fly' to sell more papers.
The 'Höna' Alternative
If you find 'elefant' too long to say, use 'höna av en fjäder'. It's equally common and sounds very native.
Don't Gaslight
Be careful using this in an argument. It can sound like you are dismissing the other person's feelings.
Significado
To exaggerate a small problem.
The 'Höna' Alternative
If you find 'elefant' too long to say, use 'höna av en fjäder'. It's equally common and sounds very native.
Don't Gaslight
Be careful using this in an argument. It can sound like you are dismissing the other person's feelings.
Use with 'Sluta'
The most natural way to use this is as a command: 'Sluta göra en elefant av en fluga!'
Lagom Perspective
Using this idiom shows you understand the Swedish value of moderation and level-headedness.
Ponte a prueba
Fyll i de ord som saknas i idiomet.
Sluta göra en _______ av en _______!
The idiom starts with the large animal (result) and ends with the small animal (source).
Vilken situation passar bäst för detta idiom?
När ska du säga 'Gör inte en elefant av en fluga'?
Losing a pen is a 'fly' (small problem), but screaming is an 'elephant' (big reaction).
Matcha idiomet med dess betydelse.
Matcha:
Both idioms refer to exaggeration.
Välj det bästa svaret för att avsluta dialogen.
A: 'Tåget är två minuter sent! Nu kommer jag missa hela mötet och få sparken!' B: '_________________'
B is providing a reality check to A's overreaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Fly vs. Elephant
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosSluta göra en _______ av en _______!
The idiom starts with the large animal (result) and ends with the small animal (source).
När ska du säga 'Gör inte en elefant av en fluga'?
Losing a pen is a 'fly' (small problem), but screaming is an 'elephant' (big reaction).
Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:
Both idioms refer to exaggeration.
A: 'Tåget är två minuter sent! Nu kommer jag missa hela mötet och få sparken!' B: '_________________'
B is providing a reality check to A's overreaction.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasNo, the idiom is fixed. You can't say 'make a whale out of a mouse' in Swedish.
It can be. It's best used with friends or when talking about a third person.
Yes, 'en elefant' and 'en fluga' are required for the idiom to sound correct.
There is no difference in meaning, but 'höna' is slightly more traditional/folksy.
Almost never. It's nearly always a criticism of overreaction.
Yes, very common in opinion pieces and headlines.
Gör (present), gjorde (past), gjort (perfect).
Yes, it is a standard idiom across all dialects.
No, it sounds unnatural. Keep both nouns indefinite.
Not a direct one, but 'överdriva' is the plain verb.
Frases relacionadas
göra en höna av en fjäder
synonymTo make a hen out of a feather.
storm i ett vattenglas
similarA storm in a water glass.
måla fan på väggen
similarTo paint the devil on the wall.
sila mygg och svälja kameler
contrastTo strain gnats and swallow camels.
förstora upp
specialized formTo enlarge/magnify.
