break a butterfly upon the wheel

動詞

To inflict a punishment out of all proportion to the offence. / To employ great exertions for insignificant ends.

日本語の意味

過剰な罰を与える / 些細な事柄に大きな労力を費やす

検察官は、軽微な違反に対して罪に見合わないほどの重い刑を求め、過剰に罰しようとしているようだった。

意味（1）

To inflict a punishment out of all proportion to the offence.

Let Paris tremble—“What? that Thing of ſilk,

“Paris, that mere white Curd of Aſs’s milk?

“Satire or Shame alas! can Paris feel?

“Who breaks a Butterfly upon a Wheel?”

Yet let me flap this Bug with gilded wings,

This painted Child of Dirt that ſtinks and ſtings

意味（2）

To employ great exertions for insignificant ends.

breaks a butterfly upon the wheel

（ present singular third-person ）

breaking a butterfly upon the wheel

（ participle present ）

broke a butterfly upon the wheel

（ past ）

broken a butterfly upon the wheel

（ participle past ）