molehill meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

molehill

noun

/ˈməʊlhɪl/

Etymology From mole + hill. The verb sense comes from the idiom make a mountain out of a molehill.

A small mound of earth created by a mole's burrowing underneath the surface of the ground.

Derived terms: make a mountain out of a molehill, Molehill Green, molehill mountaineer, molehilly

verb

Etymology From mole + hill. The verb sense comes from the idiom make a mountain out of a molehill.

To exaggerate a problem and perceive it as larger or worse than it actually is.

As Brazil faced the mountainous task of completing an Olympic venue before the opening ceremony, Chinese netizens got busy molehilling a remark by a Rio construction manager about their China supplier.2016 August 4, “Off-hand remark in Rio chafes Chinese Net”, in Global Times, archived from the original on 07 Mar 2020: