strain at gnats and swallow camels

To resist, criticize, or bemoan something minor or inconsequential while ignoring or overlooking something much more serious or important. The expression originated in the Bible, in Matthew 23:24. The government is letting the housing crisis spiral out of control while they spend millions trying to catch people who sublet their apartments without paying taxes. Talk about straining at gnats and swallowing camels!

See also: and, camel, gnat, strain, swallow

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

strain at gnats and swallow camels

Prov. to criticize other people for minor offenses while ignoring major offenses. (Biblical.) Jill: Look at that. Edward is combing his hair at his desk. How unprofessional. Jane: Don't strain at gnats and swallow camels. There are worse problems than that around here.

See also: and, camel, gnat, strain, swallow

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

See also:

a straw will show which way the wind blows
all for the best
(you) wanna make something of it?
(do) (you) want to make something of it?
a/the feel of (something)
(I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
a crack at (someone or something)
all right
a thing of the past
a slew of (something)

References in periodicals archive

Airlines tend to strain at gnats and swallow camels. At check-in, they care more about your luggage being over than your alcohol intake.

Bid to curb boozing on flights will never take off

词组	strain at gnats and swallow camels
释义	strain at gnats and swallow camels strain at gnats and swallow camels To resist, criticize, or bemoan something minor or inconsequential while ignoring or overlooking something much more serious or important. The expression originated in the Bible, in Matthew 23:24. The government is letting the housing crisis spiral out of control while they spend millions trying to catch people who sublet their apartments without paying taxes. Talk about straining at gnats and swallowing camels! See also: and, camel, gnat, strain, swallow Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. strain at gnats and swallow camels Prov. to criticize other people for minor offenses while ignoring major offenses. (Biblical.) Jill: Look at that. Edward is combing his hair at his desk. How unprofessional. Jane: Don't strain at gnats and swallow camels. There are worse problems than that around here. See also: and, camel, gnat, strain, swallow McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. See also: a straw will show which way the wind blows all for the best (you) wanna make something of it? (do) (you) want to make something of it? a/the feel of (something) (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you a crack at (someone or something) all right a thing of the past a slew of (something) References in periodicals archive Airlines tend to strain at gnats and swallow camels. At check-in, they care more about your luggage being over than your alcohol intake. Bid to curb boozing on flights will never take off
随便看	die in the last ditch die in your bed die is cast die is cast, the die laughing die like a dog die like a dog, to die like flies die like Roland die of die of a broken heart die of boredom die of curiosity a gut feeling a gut reaction a guy thing ah a hair across (one's) ass a hair in the butter a hair of the dog a hair's breadth a hair shirt a halfway house a-ha moment a hand for (someone or something)