Out of proportion.

[Ashraful Haque]

I thought 'out of proportion' meant- lacking the correct or appropriate relationship with the size, shape, or position of (some other part of the same thing). For example, 'his ears were drawn out of proportion with his head.'

Until I came across the meaning- "If you get something out of proportion, you think it is more important or worrying than it really is. If you keep something in proportion, you have a realistic view of how important it is." For example, 'when you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get things out of proportion.' - What does it really mean?

A few examples would really help me understand the meaning.

 

[Barque]

For example, 'when you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get things out of proportion.' - What does it really mean?

The meaning should be apparent from the line you quoted:

"If you get something out of proportion, you think it is more important or worrying than it really is.

It means that when you're depressed, you're likely to let things make a greater (or sometimes lesser) impression on you than they should. The impression they make on you is not in proportion to (is not equivalent to) their actual importance. You might take an unimportant thing much more seriously than it deserves, and therefore you consider it disproportionately, or out of proportion.

I should think the meaning is apparent from the context, considering you don't seem to be a rank beginner.

 

[Amigos4]

Some excellent examples can be found here.

Example:

Ashrafel Haque: “The moderators found several errors in my last post. They must really have it in for me. I know they dislike me.​

Amigos4: “Relax, Ash! Perhaps the moderators are just trying to help you learn how to use proper English. Don’t blow this out of proportion. It’s not the end of the world!” ​

 

[5jj]

The definitions here should give you an idea of the range of meanings proportion can onvey.

 

[SoothingDave]

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/make-a-mountain-out-of-a-molehill

Don't make mountains out of molehills.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Some excellent examples can be found here.

Example:

Ashrafel Haque: “The moderators found several errors in my last post. They must really have it in for me. I know they dislike me.​

Amigos4: “Relax, Ash! Perhaps the moderators are just trying to help you learn how to use proper English. Don’t blow this out of proportion. It’s not the end of the world!” ​

Would the sentence work if I replaced 'blow' with 'get'?

Ashrafel Haque: “The moderators found several errors in my last post. They must really have it in for me. I know they dislike me.

Amigos4: “Relax, Ash! Perhaps the moderators are just trying to help you learn how to use proper English. Don’t get this out of proportion. It’s not the end of the world!”

(BTW. I love being corrected. And I absolutely love the moderates here )

 

[Barque]

Would the sentence work if I replaced 'blow' with 'get'?

No. Why would you want to change it?

 

[5jj]

Would the sentence work if I replaced 'blow' with 'get'?

Yes, it would.

out of (all) proportion | meaning of out of (all) proportion in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

out of (all) proportion meaning, definition, what is out of (all) proportion: too big, great, or strong in relation to...: Learn more.

www.ldoceonline.com

 

[tedmc]

Don't read too much into it (what the moderators have said).

 

[Ashraful Haque]

No. Why would you want to change it?

Because my original sentence had 'get.'
'When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get things out of proportion.'

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Yes, it would.

out of (all) proportion | meaning of out of (all) proportion in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English | LDOCE

out of (all) proportion meaning, definition, what is out of (all) proportion: too big, great, or strong in relation to...: Learn more.

www.ldoceonline.com

Can you think of a context where 'get' and 'blow' wouldn't be interchangeable?

 

[emsr2d2]

Can you think of a context where 'get' and 'blow' wouldn't be interchangeable?

Are you talking about the context of "get/blow out of all proportion" or are you suggesting that "get" and "blow" are interchangeable in any sentence?

 

[Barque]

Because my original sentence had 'get.'
'When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get things out of proportion.'

Your original sentence had a different meaning and a different context.

Can you think of a context where 'get' and 'blow' wouldn't be interchangeable?

I suspect you mean "would" and not "wouldn't", in the context of "out of proportion". There could be some, though I can't think of one offhand.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Are you talking about the context of "get/blow out of all proportion" or are you suggesting that "get" and "blow" are interchangeable in any sentence?

The context we're talking about of course.
'When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get/blow things out of proportion.'

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Your original sentence had a different meaning and a different context.

I suspect you mean "would" and not "wouldn't", in the context of "out of proportion". There could be some, though I can't think of one offhand.

'When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get/blow things out of proportion.'
I think both 'get' and 'blow' can be used here without changing the meaning. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

 

[Barque]

"Blow" seems a stronger word than "get" and I think it's more likely to be used when speaking about a specific matter than about matters in general. Don't take this as a rule. It depends on each sentence and the context.

'When you’re depressed, it’s very easy to get/blow things out of proportion.'

I prefer "get" here.

 

[5jj]

The context we're talking about of course.

If it were so obvious that you needed to say 'of course, ' emsr2d2 wouldn't have asked the question.

 

[Ashraful Haque]

Thank you for all the answers. I have another question. This time it's about the literal meaning- 'lacking the correct or appropriate relationship with the size, shape, or position of.'

- The sculpture seemed out of proportion with/to its surroundings.
- His ears were drawn out of proportion with/to his head.

I saw sentences with both 'with' and 'to.' I pretty sure they aren't interchangeable in all cases. But are they interchangeable in most cases?

 

[SoothingDave]

It means the same either way. I would lean towards "with" in those sentences.

 

[tedmc]

You could say "in relation to", but not "to". Proportions are always relative.