Choose the option which best expresses the meaning of the given idiom. To break a butterfly upon a wheel
To use excessive force or severity for a trivial matter
The idiom “to break a butterfly upon a wheel” means to use far more force, effort or severity than a trivial matter deserves. It comes from Alexander Pope’s line “Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?”, where the wheel is the medieval torture wheel used on serious criminals.
Step 1 — Breaking a fragile butterfly on a torture wheel meant for hardened criminals is absurd overkill. The image sets a huge instrument of punishment against something tiny and harmless.
Step 2 — So the idiom describes using excessive force or severity for a trivial matter.
Punishing symbolic wrongdoing to set a precedent adds the idea of deterrence, which the idiom does not carry. Imposing disproportionate authority in ambiguous situations speaks of ambiguity, while the idiom is about smallness and triviality, not uncertainty. Facing all difficulties with rigour is a positive description of determination and has nothing to do with excessive force.
To use excessive force or severity for a trivial matter option is correct.
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