Phrase guide

make a big thing out of

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American, Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmeɪk ə ˈbɪɡ ˈθɪŋ aʊt əv/
  • General-American: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To call attention to or publicize; to make a fuss about, especially unnecessarily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: faire tout un foin de — to make a fuss about
  • French: faire toute une histoire de — to make a fuss about
  • French: faire tout un fromage de — to make a fuss about
  • French: faire tout un plat de — to make a fuss about
  • German: um ein Gewese machen — to make a fuss about
  • German: viel Aufhebens um machen — to make a fuss about
  • Italian: fare un dramma — to make a fuss about
  • Spanish: rasgarse las vestiduras — to make a fuss about