The idiom "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" means to focus on small, unimportant details while ignoring much larger, more significant issues. It refers to someone who is overly concerned with minor problems and fails to see the bigger picture.
The phrase comes from a biblical reference in the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and legalism. He accuses them of being so focused on following minor rules and regulations that they overlook more important matters like justice, mercy, and faith.
You can use this idiom to describe someone who is nitpicking or being overly critical about small issues while ignoring more significant problems. For example, if a manager is obsessing over minor details in a project but failing to address major issues that could jeopardize its success, you could say that they are "straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel."
In summary, "strain at a gnat and swallow a camel" is an idiom that means to focus on small details while ignoring more significant issues. It is a useful phrase to describe someone who is overly concerned with minor problems and fails to see the bigger picture.
• My friend always complains about the price of coffee, but she spends hundreds of dollars on designer shoes. She's straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
• The CEO is micromanaging every detail of the company's social media account, but ignoring the unethical behavior of some of his top executives. He's straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
• The government is focusing on minor issues like street vendors instead of addressing the country's major economic problems. They're straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
• The politician is criticizing her opponent for a minor mistake in his campaign, but she has a history of corruption and scandal. She's straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
• The company is spending millions on advertising campaigns while ignoring the environmental impact of their products. They're straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.
• I can't believe you're worrying about a tiny stain on your shirt when we're going to be late for the movie. You're straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel.