Hyperbole

A hyperbole is an exaggeration. We can use hyperbole to emphasise something.

For example:

• I’m so hungry I could eat a horse

This is quite a common expression, but we shouldn’t take it literally. I’m not saying that I could really eat a horse (!) but by exaggerating (using hyperbole) I am emphasising that I am very hungry.

Other hyperboles about being hungry include:

• Is it dinner time yet? I’m starving.
• I’m famished; I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.

When we use hyperbole, we are saying or writing something that isn’t really true. But by exaggerating we are emphasising it, drawing attention to it and perhaps even trying to be funny.

Some other common examples of hyperbole are:

• There were millions of people on the bus this morning. (There were a lot of people)
• She kept me waiting for ages. (I waited a long time)
• It’s really hot today. I’m roasting. (I’m feeling hot)
• I’d like to help but I have too much on my plate. (I’m too busy)
• He is so short-tempered. Every time I say anything he snaps my head off. (He gets angry with me)
• My suitcase weighs a tonne. (My suitcase is heavy)
• I’m so tired I could sleep forever. (I’m very tired)
• He has a mountain of books waiting to be read. (I have a lot of books to read)
• My new camera cost me an arm and a leg. (It was very expensive)
• We’ve prepared enough food to feed an army. (There is much more food than we need)
• The comedian was so funny the audience nearly died laughing. (They laughed a lot)

You might often hear people use “literally” to emphasise hyperboles even further. For example:

• I’m literally starving.
• I could literally sleep forever.
• It literally cost an arm and a leg.

Many people say that it is wrong to use “literally” in this way, and – strictly speaking – they’re probably right. But that doesn’t stop people from doing it. It’s best, though, not to do so in formal writing or speaking – or in English exams.

For more about “literally”, see here.  

_{Posted by Graham.}