Make heavy weather of something

Pro Tip 1/3

Exaggerated Difficulty

Use when someone is making a task seem harder than it is, either by overthinking or unnecessary steps.

Even preparing tea, she makes heavy weather of it with an elaborate ceremony.

Pro Tip 2/3

Frustration Implication

Implies the person's approach is causing frustration to themselves or others.

In all our meetings, he makes heavy weather of the agenda, dragging each point out.

Pro Tip 3/3

Avoid Underestimating

Be careful not to dismiss real difficulties faced by others as making heavy weather.

I thought he was making heavy weather of the report, but it turns out it was quite complex.