fazer tempestade em copo d'água
To make a mountain out of a molehill
Literally: To make a storm in a glass of water
In 15 Seconds
- Stop overreacting to a very small problem.
- Don't turn a minor inconvenience into a disaster.
- Keep calm; the situation isn't that serious.
Meaning
It describes someone who is overreacting to a tiny problem. You use it when a friend treats a small inconvenience like a total disaster.
Key Examples
3 of 6A friend panics because they forgot their umbrella.
Calma, não precisa fazer tempestade em copo d'água, eu tenho um reserva.
Calm down, no need to make a mountain out of a molehill, I have a spare one.
A coworker is stressed about a small formatting error.
O chefe nem vai notar o erro, você está fazendo tempestade em copo d'água.
The boss won't even notice the error, you're overreacting.
Texting a friend who is worried about a first date.
Para de fazer tempestade em copo d'água! Vai dar tudo certo.
Stop overreacting! Everything will be fine.
Cultural Background
The phrase is a direct descendant of the Latin 'excitare fluctus in simpulo,' used by Cicero. It highlights a Mediterranean and Lusophone tendency toward passionate expression and storytelling. In Brazil, it is often used with a shrug of the shoulders to signal that everything is actually fine.
The 'Short' Version
You can just roll your eyes and say 'Que tempestade!' to imply the whole phrase without saying every word.
Watch your tone
This phrase can be dismissive. If someone is genuinely upset, using this might make them angrier!
In 15 Seconds
- Stop overreacting to a very small problem.
- Don't turn a minor inconvenience into a disaster.
- Keep calm; the situation isn't that serious.
What It Means
Imagine a tiny glass of water. Now imagine a massive, thundering hurricane inside it. It sounds ridiculous, right? That is exactly the point. This phrase describes taking a minor issue and blowing it out of proportion. You are turning a puddle into an ocean. It is about unnecessary drama and exaggerated stress.
How To Use It
You use the verb fazer (to do/make) followed by the expression. You can use it to call someone out or to describe a situation. If your friend loses their keys and starts crying, you say they are doing this. It fits perfectly into daily conversations about stress. Just remember to conjugate fazer to match who is being dramatic.
When To Use It
Use it when the reaction does not match the problem.
- At a restaurant: A waiter brings the wrong soda and your date gets furious.
- At work: A colleague panics over a tiny typo in a draft.
- Texting: Your friend sends ten messages because you took five minutes to reply.
It is great for grounding people who are spiraling over nothing.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this during a genuine crisis. If someone’s car actually broke down, do not say this. It will make you sound heartless and rude. Also, avoid using it with your boss during a serious meeting. It can sound a bit dismissive or condescending. Save it for peers, friends, or family members you know well.
Cultural Background
This expression is a classic in Portuguese-speaking cultures. Brazilians and Portuguese people are often very expressive and emotional. We love a good metaphor for drama! It is believed to have roots in ancient Greek literature. However, it feels 100% local in any Brazilian cafe today. It captures that universal human tendency to panic over the small stuff.
Common Variations
Sometimes people just say tempestade em copo d'água without the verb. You might hear: Isso é só uma tempestade em copo d'água. In some regions, people might use redemoinho (whirlwind) instead of storm. But the 'glass of water' part is the golden standard. Stick to the classic version and everyone will understand you perfectly.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral-informal. It is highly versatile but requires a lighthearted or slightly critical tone to be effective.
The 'Short' Version
You can just roll your eyes and say 'Que tempestade!' to imply the whole phrase without saying every word.
Watch your tone
This phrase can be dismissive. If someone is genuinely upset, using this might make them angrier!
The Brazilian 'Drama'
Brazilians use this constantly because social harmony is valued; pointing out an overreaction helps bring the mood back to 'tudo bem'.
Examples
6Calma, não precisa fazer tempestade em copo d'água, eu tenho um reserva.
Calm down, no need to make a mountain out of a molehill, I have a spare one.
A classic way to calm someone down in a casual setting.
O chefe nem vai notar o erro, você está fazendo tempestade em copo d'água.
The boss won't even notice the error, you're overreacting.
Used to provide perspective in a professional but friendly way.
Para de fazer tempestade em copo d'água! Vai dar tudo certo.
Stop overreacting! Everything will be fine.
Commonly used in texts to offer quick emotional support.
Ele sempre faz tempestade em copo d'água por qualquer atraso.
He always makes a mountain out of a molehill over any delay.
Describing a third person's personality trait.
Não chore, é só um pouquinho de sorvete. Que tempestade em copo d'água!
Don't cry, it's just a bit of ice cream. What a drama over nothing!
Using the phrase as an exclamation.
Eles brigaram por nada, fizeram uma tempestade em copo d'água.
They fought over nothing; they blew the whole thing out of proportion.
Reflecting on a past emotional event.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Você está ___ tempestade em copo d'água por causa de um real!
The verb `fazer` (to make/do) is the standard verb used with this expression.
Complete the phrase with the correct container.
Não precisa fazer tempestade em copo de ___.
The idiom specifically uses `água` (water) to emphasize how small the 'ocean' actually is.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Level of 'Fazer tempestade em copo d'água'
Very common among friends and family.
Mãe, para de fazer tempestade em copo d'água!
Safe for most social and work interactions.
Acho que estamos fazendo tempestade em copo d'água.
Might sound too colorful for a legal document.
O reclamante fez tempestade em copo d'água.
When to say it
Minor tech glitch
The Wi-Fi is slow for 1 minute.
Small social slip
Forgetting someone's middle name.
Fashion 'disaster'
A tiny stain on a sock.
Traffic
Missing one green light.
Practice Bank
2 exercisesVocê está ___ tempestade em copo d'água por causa de um real!
The verb `fazer` (to make/do) is the standard verb used with this expression.
Não precisa fazer tempestade em copo de ___.
The idiom specifically uses `água` (water) to emphasize how small the 'ocean' actually is.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, exactly! It is the perfect Portuguese equivalent for that English idiom.
Only if you have a very close, friendly relationship. Otherwise, it might sound like you are calling them dramatic.
Both are correct, but copo d'água is much more common in spoken Portuguese due to the contraction.
You can say criar uma tempestade, but fazer is the most natural and frequent choice.
No, it is a standard idiom. It is widely understood by all ages and social classes.
Then do not use it! This is strictly for situations where the reaction outweighs the cause.
You could say exagerar a importância de algo, but it sounds much more robotic.
Yes, it is common in both Brazil and Portugal, as well as other Lusophone countries.
Sure! You can say Eu sei que estou fazendo tempestade em copo d'água, mas estou nervoso.
It's not a swear word, but it can be annoying to hear if you feel your feelings are valid.
Related Phrases
Procurar pelo em ovo
To look for problems where they don't exist (literally: to look for hair on an egg).
Dar um nó em pingo d'água
To be very resourceful or clever (literally: to tie a knot in a drop of water).
Muita areia para o meu caminhão
Something is too much for me to handle (literally: too much sand for my truck).
Encher o saco
To be annoying or to lose patience.
