Idiom: Tempest in a Teapot
Example 1: Small cultural differences can sometimes create big problems! My roommate is from another country, so we sometimes disagree. Just the other day, we were fighting because I had left my jacket on the couch when I arrived home. I was tired and in a rush to get something to eat. I thought it wasn’t a big deal but my roommate began to lecture me on responsibilities as a roommate and having pride in your home. He got really upset and I couldn’t understand it! What a tempest in a teapot!
Example 2:
George: I’m so angry!
Martin: What’s the matter?
G: We invited 50 people to the party and 45 confirmed, but only 42 have arrived on time! I planned all of this for nothing!!! I’m going to cancel the whole thing if they don’t show up in 5 minutes!
M: Hey, George! Relax! It’s OK! The rest of the guests will come soon, I’m sure.
Jack: Martin, what’s wrong with George?
M: He’s upset because 3 guests haven’t arrived yet.
J: Really!? That’s just a tempest in a teapot! There are more than enough people to begin the party!
M: He’s upset because 3 guests haven’t arrived yet.
J: Really!? That’s just a tempest in a teapot! There are more than enough people to begin the party!
Meaning: This expression is used to describe a big fuss or commotion over something minor. In Example 1, the speaker feels that his roommate is overreacting to something very small and unimportant. In Example 2, George is really upset because 3 people haven’t arrived for the party, but Martin thinks it’s not a big problem because most of the guests have arrived.
