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3. much ado about nothing

much ado about nothing

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much ado about nothing

Cliché a furor over something unimportant. (The name of a Shakespeare play.) All this arguing is much ado about nothing.

See also: ado, much, nothing

much ado about nothing

a lot of trouble or excitement about something that is not important His opponents have questioned his role in obtaining the contract, but he claims he did nothing wrong, and that it's much ado about nothing.

Etymology: from the title of a play by William Shakespeare

See also: ado, much, nothing

much ado about nothing

a lot of trouble and excitement about something which is not important

Usage notes: Much Ado about Nothing is the title of a famous play by Shakespeare.

People have been getting very upset about the seating arrangements for the Christmas dinner, but as far as I'm concerned it's all much ado about nothing.

See also: ado, much, nothing

much ado about nothing

A big fuss over a trifle, as in Jerry had everyone running around looking for his gloves-much ado about nothing. Although this expression is best remembered as the title of Shakespeare's comedy, the phrase much ado was already being used for a big commotion or trouble in the early 1500s.

See also: ado, much, nothing