Proverb meaning that what one feared often turns out to be nothing serious — upon inspection, the 'ghost' is just withered grass.
夜に物音がしてびっくりしたが、幽霊の正体見たり枯れ尾花だった。
I was startled by a noise at night, but upon inspection the 'ghost' turned out to be just withered grass.
そんなに心配しなくていいよ。幽霊の正体見たり枯れ尾花だよ。
Don't worry so much; it's probably a false alarm.
ネットの噂を鵜呑みにする前に、幽霊の正体見たり枯れ尾花かどうか確かめよう。
Before swallowing online rumors, check whether they're just a false alarm.