exaggerate the difference

[ɪɡˈzædʒəreɪt ðə ˈdɪfərəns]
verb phrase
exagerar a diferença
1. to represent or describe a difference as greater or more significant than it actually is
The media tends to exaggerate the difference between the two candidates' positions.
A mídia tende a exagerar a diferença entre as posições dos dois candidatos.
2. to overstate or amplify the contrast or disparity between two things
Don't exaggerate the difference; they're actually quite similar in many ways.
Não exagere a diferença; eles são bastante semelhantes em muitos aspectos.
This phrase is commonly used in political discourse, media criticism, and academic contexts in both Brazil and the USA. In Brazilian Portuguese media, 'exagerar a diferença' is frequently used when discussing political polarization or sensationalism in journalism. In American English, this concept is central to discussions about media bias and political rhetoric.
NYC Slang
blow it out of proportion / make a mountain out of a molehill
Synonyms / Sinônimos
overstate the differenceamplify the differencemagnify the differenceblow out of proportiondramatize the difference
Antonyms / Antônimos
downplay the differenceminimize the differenceunderstate the differencegloss over the difference

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
exagerar a diferença
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
exagerar a diferença / botar na boca do povo
Colloquial alternative meaning to spread exaggerated differences
São Paulo
exagerar a diferença
Standard formal usage in business and media contexts
Portugal
exagerar a diferença / amplificar a diferença
Both forms used; slightly more formal in Portuguese European Portuguese

Related Words

exaggerateoverstatedifferencecontrastdisparitymagnify

Related Idioms & Phrases

make a mountain out of a molehill
blow something out of proportion
make a big deal out of nothing
amplify the contrast
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →