Montar un circo

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/mon·ˈtaɾ un ˈθiɾ·ko/

To set up a circus.

Frequency

ConversationVery common

JournalismOccasional

LiteraryRare

AcademicVery rare

In English

to make a scene; **to make a scene**; **to make a spectacle of oneself**; **to make a big show of something**; **to turn something into a circus**; **to cause a commotion**; **to make a song and dance about something**

Meaning

Montar un circo means to make a spectacle of oneself, to create a scene, or to turn a situation into a ridiculous or chaotic spectacle.

Examples

No montes un circo por una tontería.

Don't make a scene over something so trivial.

Se enfadó y montó un circo delante de todo el mundo.

He got angry and made a spectacle of himself in front of everyone.

Cada vez que hay una reunión, monta un circo.

Every time there's a meeting, he makes a huge scene.

Los periodistas montaron un circo a la puerta del juzgado.

The journalists turned the entrance to the courthouse into a circus.

La organización se ha convertido en un auténtico circo.

The organisation has become a complete circus.

It is used when someone behaves in an exaggerated, theatrical or disorderly way, attracting unnecessary attention.

A common construction is:

Montar un circo.

→ To make a spectacle / to make a scene.

It can also be used of an organisation or situation that has become chaotic and absurd.

Used when

makes a public scene
behaves in an exaggerated or theatrical way
causes unnecessary commotion
turns a serious matter into a spectacle
creates chaos or disorder
attracts attention through ridiculous behaviour

Origin

The expression is based on the familiar image of a circus as a place of spectacle, performance, noise and unusual behaviour.

To montar literally means "to set up" or "to put together". Thus, montar un circo creates the humorous image of someone setting up an entire circus around a particular situation.

The expression developed its figurative meaning of creating an unnecessary spectacle or commotion.

Cultural note

The expression can describe a person's behaviour:

Montó un circo en mitad de la calle.

→ He made a huge scene in the middle of the street.

But it can also describe an entire situation or organisation:

Esto es un circo.

→ This is a circus.

In the second use, the criticism is that the situation is chaotic, absurd, disorganised or lacking seriousness.

Did you know?

The metaphor of the circus is also common in English and many other languages.

Spanish uses it both for individual behaviour and for situations that have become absurd or chaotic:

No montes un circo.

→ Don't make a scene.

Esto es un circo.

→ This is a circus.

The first focuses on someone's behaviour; the second criticises the whole situation.

For English speakers

There is a very close English equivalent:

to turn something into a circus

For example:

Han convertido el juicio en un circo.

→ They've turned the trial into a circus.

But when referring to an individual making a scene, English usually prefers:

to make a scene

or:

to make a spectacle of oneself