dà大greatjīng惊surprisexiǎo小smallguài怪strange
To make a fuss over nothing; to be alarmed at the slightest provocation.
Literal meaning
great (大) — surprise (惊) — small (小) — strange (怪)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase criticizing excessive reaction.
Examples
Bié dàjīng-xiǎoguài de, méi shénme dàbuliǎo de.别大惊小怪的，没什么大不了的。
Don't make a fuss, it's nothing serious.
Tā zǒngshì dàjīng-xiǎoguài de.他总是大惊小怪的。
He always makes a fuss over nothing.
Usage & nuances
Used to criticize someone for overreacting.
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