Proverb / Kotowaza
針ほどのことを棒ほどに言う
To exaggerate a trivial matter into something significant or serious.
To describe a needle-sized matter as being as large as a pole
Quick Answer
To exaggerate a trivial matter into something significant or serious.
- Literal Image
- To describe a needle-sized matter as being as large as a pole
- Closest Equivalent
- Making a mountain out of a molehill
- How to Use It
- Used to point out or criticize someone for their habit of exaggerating, such as when a person describes a minor scratch as a major injury.
Meaning
This expression describes the act of making a small issue seem much larger or more consequential than it actually is. It is used when someone inflates the facts or blows a situation out of proportion, leading to unnecessary concern or a distorted view of reality.
Literal Image
To describe a needle-sized matter as being as large as a pole
Equivalent Proverbs
Making a mountain out of a molehill
Uses a different image (mountain/molehill) to convey the same lesson about exaggeration.
How to Use It
Used to point out or criticize someone for their habit of exaggerating, such as when a person describes a minor scratch as a major injury.
Tone
Critical and cautionary, highlighting a lack of accuracy or honesty in speech.
Examples
ちょっとした擦り傷を大怪我のように話すのは、針ほどのことを棒ほどに言うというものだ。
Talking about a minor scratch as if it were a major injury is a case of describing a needle-sized thing as if it were a pole.
Learning Notes
Key Vocabulary
While the vocabulary (needle, pole, say) is relatively simple, the length of the phrase and the use of the 'hodo' comparison structure make it less transparent for beginners.
針
はり / hari
needle
棒
ぼう / bou
pole or stick
言う
いう / iu
to say or speak
ほど
hodo
extent, degree, or 'as much as'
Usage Profile
Usage note: This can be used to describe someone else's behavior negatively; using it about oneself might sound overly self-deprecating or sarcastic.
Misread Risk
Do not confuse this with simply talking a lot; it specifically refers to the distortion of size or scale in a story.
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Related Proverbs
Origin
This proverb is born from a metaphor comparing a small event, represented by a thin needle, to a large object, represented by a thick pole. It serves as a criticism of the human tendency to speak with exaggeration.
Index
Topics, Situations, and Tags
Topics
Situations
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Source Note
Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.