Expression: Monter (quelque chose) en épingle
Pronunciation: [mo(n) tay a(n) nay peh(n)gl]
Meaning: To blow something out of proportion, make a big to-do about, emphasize
Literal translation: To mount something on a pin
Register: informal
Notes: Something that fits on the head of a pin is obviously very small, so the logic of this French expression escapes me. If whatever you monte en épingle is being made small enough to fit on a pin, that seems like you'd have to be minimizing it - the opposite of emphasizing it or making a big deal out of it. Or maybe it's that you'd have to use a microscope to see it, which would be making it seem much bigger than it actually is.
Visitors to this site posted some very interesting comments and theories on the blog - I've summarized some of the points here:
- Putting something on the head of a pin would make it appear relatively enormous
- Collectors put things like butterflies or bugs on display by pinning them to a board
- You might pin something up on a noticeboard to draw attention to it
- Perhaps it means you're micromanaging something, or becoming fixated on a very small part of it, rather than on the larger and more important truth
- Putting something big on a pin is very difficult, so don't do it - just take it easy and stop exaggerating
- Possible relationship to the question of how many angels can dance on the head of a pin
Example:
Ce contretemps n'est pas la fin du monde - ne le monte pas en épingle !
This setback is not the end of the world - don't make a big deal of it / don't blow it out of proportion!
