out of proportion
English
Alternative forms
- out of all proportion
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Prepositional phrase
out of proportion
- (idiomatic) Not in a proper or pleasing relation to other things, especially in terms of size.
- I only said that she wasn't as young as she used to be, and her response was out of proportion.
- 1955, Philip Larkin, The Less Deceived, Toads:
- Six days of the week it [work] soils / With its sickening poison — / Just for paying a few bills! / That's out of proportion.
Usage notes
- Generally used to describe something that is far too large or severe, such as a punishment or an angry reaction.
Translations
Translations
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