上纲上线
shàng​gāng​shàng​xiàn

to elevate to the level of principle

  1. 上纲 上綱 shàng​gāng
    to raise to a matter of principle
    To treat a minor or ordinary issue as a significant matter of political or moral principle; often used in the context of unfair criticism or exaggeration
  2. 上线 上線 shàng​xiàn
    to treat as political
    (Mainland China) To escalate an ordinary issue to the level of political principles; often used in the phrase 上纲上线 shàng​gāng​shàng​xiàn