break a butterfly upon the wheel

== English == === Alternative forms === break a butterfly on a wheel break a butterfly on the wheel break a butterfly upon a wheel break a fly on a wheel break a fly on the wheel break a fly upon a wheel break a fly upon the wheel === Etymology === Coined by English poet Alexander Pope in 1734 in Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot. === Pronunciation === === Verb === break a butterfly upon the wheel (third-person singular simple present breaks a butterfly upon the wheel, present participle breaking a butterfly upon the wheel, simple past broke a butterfly upon the wheel, past participle broken a butterfly upon the wheel) To inflict a punishment out of all proportion to the offence. To employ great exertions for insignificant ends. ==== Related terms ==== butterfly upon a wheel ==== Translations ==== === See also === use a sledgehammer to crack a nut