break a butterfly upon the wheel

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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

   1734, Alexander Pope, An Epistle from Mr. Pope, to Dr. Arbuthnot

2. To employ great exertions for insignificant ends.