Make a meal of Meaning in English
expression
Definition
To treat something as more important, difficult, or complicated than it really is; to exaggerate the effort or importance of something simple.
Usage & Nuances
This is an informal British English idiom, usually used to criticize someone for making something unnecessarily complicated or dramatic. It's often heard in phrases like 'Don’t make a meal of it.' Not typically used in American English; in the US, people might say 'make a big deal out of' instead.
Example Sentences
He really made a meal of washing the car.
basic
Don’t make a meal of this small problem.
basic
She tends to make a meal of any task.
basic
You really made a meal of that phone call—what took you so long?
natural
I know assembling that chair looks hard, but don't make a meal of it.
natural
Stop making a meal of your mistakes—everyone messes up sometimes.
natural