matar moscas a cañonazos

Spanish

Etymology

Literally, “kill flies with cannon-fire”.

Verb

matar moscas a cañonazos (first-person singular present mato moscas a cañonazos, first-person singular preterite maté moscas a cañonazos, past participle matado moscas a cañonazos)

1. (idiomatic) to use a sledgehammer to crack a nut