# 大惊小怪

dà jīng xiǎo guài

Make an excessive fuss over something ordinary

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Be greatly startled by a small oddity

**Traditional Chinese:** 大驚小怪

**Register:** Critical · expressive

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Criticize a disproportionate reaction.

Can unfairly dismiss legitimate concern.

## Understanding the expression

The contrast between great alarm and a small matter makes the reaction seem excessive. Speakers use the expression to tease, reassure, or criticize someone who treats an ordinary event as remarkable. Its judgment depends on what the person knew and what the actual risks were. A concern that looks small to an experienced observer may be reasonable for a newcomer. Use care when the phrase would silence someone reporting a real problem.

## Examples

杯子碎了，别大惊小怪。

### Traditional Chinese

杯子碎了，別大驚小怪。

bēi zi suì le ， bié dà jīng xiǎo guài 。

The cup broke; do not make a fuss.

他第一次见雪，朋友笑他大惊小怪。

### Traditional Chinese

他第一次見雪，朋友笑他大驚小怪。

tā dì yī cì jiàn xuě ， péng yǒu xiào tā dà jīng xiǎo guài 。

Seeing snow for the first time, he was teased for making such a fuss.

发现漏气不能说是大惊小怪。

### Traditional Chinese

發現漏氣不能說是大驚小怪。

fā xiàn lòu qì bù néng shuō shì dà jīng xiǎo guài 。

Concern about a gas leak should not be dismissed as overreaction.

她对一点小变化就大惊小怪。

### Traditional Chinese

她對一點小變化就大驚小怪。

tā duì yì diǎn xiǎo biàn huà jiù dà jīng xiǎo guài 。

She makes a fuss over every tiny change.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%A4%A7%E9%A9%9A%E5%B0%8F%E6%80%AA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=859&webMd=1&la=0)

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