English

Verb

use a sledgehammer to crack a nut

1. (idiomatic) To use significantly excessive force to carry out an action; to do something overzealously
   • 2010 September 21, “'A sledgehammer to crack a nut': Three police officers and a patrol car rush to... children playing football in the street”, in Daily Mail:

     Today, Mr Worthington, an engineer, said: 'Sending three officers over simply to give a warning about kids playing football in the street is like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Synonyms

• use a sledgehammer to kill a gnat

Translations