be out of proportion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be out of proportion" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation where something is exaggerated or not in balance with reality, often in terms of size, importance, or response. Example: "Her reaction to the minor criticism seemed to be out of proportion to the actual issue at hand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

But the costs seem to be out of proportion".

The New York Times

To people from more snowy climates, the disruptions might seem to be out of proportion to the amount of snow that fell.

The New York Times

The length, at just below the jaw, wasn't so short as to be "out of proportion," Mr. Defazio said, but also allowed her hair to become healthy again.

The New York Times

A threatened charge for operational risk, based on the amount of funds under management, might be out of proportion to the risks many firms actually run.

The Economist

Anxiety may arise in response to apparently innocuous situations or may be out of proportion to the actual degree of the external stress.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The symptoms may be out of proportion to the degree of stress, or they may be maladaptive in the sense that they prevent an individual from coping adequately in normal social or occupational settings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"I didn't have to be out-of-proportion emotional about this because I realised that my family wasn't suffering, that they were humane about my family".

BBC

Still, ignorance about women's drinking habits was out of proportion.

The New York Times - Health

But Jeremy Broun, who runs the Bath Buskers Guide website, said the "lynch mentality" was "out of proportion".

BBC

This is out of proportion".

The New York Times

"They are out of proportion to the windows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be out of proportion" to describe situations where a response, reaction, or measurement is not aligned with the actual scale or importance of something. It's often used to indicate an overreaction or imbalance.

Common error

Avoid using "be out of proportion" to describe physical dimensions unless it's a metaphorical extension. Stick to more direct terms like "misshapen" or "asymmetrical" if you are referring to concrete measurements rather than relative significance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be out of proportion" functions as a predicate adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe its state of being unbalanced or inappropriately scaled. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be out of proportion" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to describe situations where something lacks balance or is exaggerated. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable and correct. It is most commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, used to express that a response, reaction, or measurement is not aligned with the actual scale or importance of something. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately conveys the intended imbalance and is not confused with descriptions of physical dimensions. Consider alternatives like "be disproportionate" or "be exaggerated" to fine-tune the meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be disproportionate

Emphasizes a lack of proper ratio or balance.

be blown out of proportion

Highlights the act of making something seem much more important or serious than it really is.

be excessive

Highlights that something is more than necessary, normal, or desirable.

be exaggerated

Focuses on the overstatement or stretching of the truth.

be over the top

Indicates that something is excessively dramatic or extravagant.

be unreasonable

Suggests a lack of sound judgment or fairness.

be unwarranted

Implies that something lacks justification or cause.

be inordinate

Indicates that something is unusually large or excessive.

be undue

Suggests that something is inappropriately excessive.

be overstated

Focuses on the act of presenting something in an exaggerated way.

FAQs

How can I use "be out of proportion" in a sentence?

You can use "be out of proportion" to describe something that is exaggerated or not in balance with something else. For example, "The punishment was "be out of proportion" to the crime."

What can I say instead of "be out of proportion"?

Alternatives include "be disproportionate", "be excessive", or "be exaggerated", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "out of proportion"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say something is "be out of proportion". Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

What's the difference between "be out of proportion" and "be disproportionate"?

While both phrases imply an imbalance, "be out of proportion" often suggests an exaggeration or overreaction, whereas "be disproportionate" more broadly indicates a lack of proper ratio or balance.