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17:28 Dec 29, 2011
Italian to English translations [PRO] Law (general) / colloquial expressions
Italian term or phrase:la montagna ha partorito un topolino
The following appears in written pleadings:
"Ebbene, alla luce di quanto esposto, pare proprio di poter concludere,
sia concessa l’espressione colorita, che la montagna ha partorito un topolino."
Any suggestions for an equivalent colloquial expression in English?
Explanation: It seems that what we have here, to use a ... phrase, is a proverbail storm in a teacup.
With the extra context of something blown out of all proportion, a huge trial for a petty offence, this would seem to fit the bill better than an Italian proverb unfamiliar to non English speaking ears.
Personally I'd give the literal translation and then explain that it appeared that something great was brewing, but which in the end proved itself to be less than great/impressive/important/of consequence ....
It’s quite difficult to give more context. It’s a case in which there were accusations of suborning of witnesses and defence counsel here has gone through all the details (about thirty pages of description of what happened) and is claiming that it has been blown out of all proportion.
so can we have some more context please? Can we know what was "esposto" to get a handle on it? Basically what is the mountain and what is the mouse here? One recent use in the press was the Berlusconi government (mountain) and the "responsabili" floor crossing group (mouse). Which would suggest something like "the goverment is going nowhere fast with results like this". It is an equivalent, something with the same meaning but from a different angle.
The translation workplace 
peer agreement (net): -1
