What is hyperbole?

• A. Example or Phrase That Exaggerates for Effect
• B. Oxymoron
• C. Euphemism
• D. Bathos

Answer: (A)

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration to emphasize a point or create humor. It’s not meant to be taken literally, but to make something feel much more dramatic than it really is. For example, saying “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse” highlights how strong the hunger feels.

This description fits hyperbole because it focuses on exaggeration for effect. An oxymoron, like “jumbo shrimp,” pairs opposite terms to create a striking image, not an overstatement of scale. A euphemism replaces a harsh term with something milder, such as “passed away” instead of “died.” Bathos involves a sudden drop from something serious to something trivial, creating anticlimax rather than deliberate amplification.