molehill

molehill
molehill (n.) also mole-hill, mid-15c., from MOLE (Cf. mole) (2) + HILL (Cf. hill) (n.).
To much amplifying thinges yt. be but small, makyng mountaines of Molehils. [John Foxe, "Acts and Monuments," 1570]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Molehill — Mole hill , n. A little hillock of earth thrown up by moles working under ground; hence, a very small hill, or an insignificant obstacle or difficulty; as, to make a mountain out of a molehill. [1913 Webster] Having leapt over such mountains, lie …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • molehill — ► NOUN ▪ a small mound of earth thrown up by a burrowing mole. ● make a mountain out of a molehill Cf. ↑make a mountain out of a molehill …   English terms dictionary

  • molehill — [mōl′hil΄] n. a small ridge or mound of earth, formed by a burrowing mole make a mountain out of a molehill to treat a trivial problem as a great or important one …   English World dictionary

  • Molehill — For the hill in Virginia, see Mole Hill (Virginia). A molehill …   Wikipedia

  • molehill — [[t]mo͟ʊlhɪl[/t]] molehills 1) N COUNT A molehill is a small pile of earth made by a mole digging a tunnel. 2) PHRASE: V and Ns inflect (disapproval) If you say that someone is making a mountain out of a molehill, you are critical of them for… …   English dictionary

  • molehill — UK [ˈməʊlˌhɪl] / US [ˈmoʊlˌhɪl] noun [countable] Word forms molehill : singular molehill plural molehills a small pile of earth made by a mole digging underground • See: mountain …   English dictionary

  • molehill — See: MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • molehill — See: MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF A MOLEHILL …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • molehill — /mohl hil /, n. 1. a small mound or ridge of earth raised up by a mole or moles burrowing under the ground. 2. make a mountain out of a molehill, to exaggerate a minor difficulty. [1400 50; late ME; see MOLE1, HILL] * * * …   Universalium

  • molehill — mole|hill [ˈməulˌhıl US ˈmoul ] n a small pile of earth made by a ↑mole →make a mountain out of a molehill at ↑mountain …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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