Hyperbole /hʌɪˈpəːbəli/ is a way of speaking or writing that makes something sound better, more exciting, or more dangerous than it really is. In other words, it’s an exaggeration or overstatement. For example: 1. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. 2. She cried a river of tears. 3. He’s as tall as a mountain.

Hyperbole is a literary and rhetorical device used for several reasons:

1. Emphasis. Hyperbole exaggerates a point to make it more noticeable and memorable: I’ve told you a million times! (Frustration and the repeated nature of the request are being emphasized.) Also, emphasizing a point strongly can be used to persuade others that what you are saying is indeed true: This bag weighs a ton!
2. Humor. Hyperbole can be used to create humor by stretching reality to absurd levels, often resulting in a comic effect: After jogging for just five minutes, I’m pretty sure I lost about a thousand pounds!
3. Dramatic effect. Hyperbole heightens emotions and dramatizes situations, making them more intense and engaging: The wait for her reply felt like an eternity.
4. Exaggerated comparison. Hyperbole can be used to make comparisons more striking and memorable by exaggerating the similarities or differences: He is older than the hills.
5. Visual imagery. Hyperbole can create vivid mental images by exaggerating physical attributes or actions: His laughter echoed through the room like thunder.

Heads-Up

When using hyperbole, bear in mind a few things to ensure you achieve your intended purposes. Firstly, remember that hyperbole should enhance the audience’s understanding of what you are describing, not the other way around. So, ensure the hyperbole used does not mislead the audience. Secondly, strike a balance between creativity and believability. Hyperbole should stretch reality enough to make an impact but not so much that it becomes unbelievable or distracting. Lastly, don’t overuse hyperbole because everything is good in moderation.

What do you think is the problem with the paragraph below?

I waited in line at the coffee shop forever. It felt like I aged a thousand years just trying to get my morning caffeine fix. The line was so slow, I thought I might as well have been waiting for the next ice age to arrive. By the time I finally got my coffee, I felt like I had been through a marathon in the desert. It was torture!

Answer

In this paragraph, hyperbole is used excessively. The extreme exaggerations such as ‘aged a thousand years’ and ‘waiting for the next ice age’ make it somewhat melodramatic and unnatural.

Compare the paragraph above with the one below. What makes this paragraph better?

I waited in line at the coffee shop for what seemed like forever. I was just trying to get my morning caffeine fix, but the line was so slow, I thought it was torture! By the time I finally got my coffee, I felt exhausted and drained from all the waiting.

Answer

In the paragraph above, there are just 2 instances of hyperbole: ‘forever’ and ‘torture.’ They don’t overcrowd this short piece of writing and effectively communicate the feeling of frustration.

Common English Hyperboles

Let us provide you with a list of hyperboles from this post, as they are all quite common, and add a few more worth mentioning. After reviewing the list, proceed to the exercise below to practice using hyperbole.

Hyperbole	In other words	In context
I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.	I’m starved.	I’ve been working the whole day without lunch or even a snack. I’m so hungry, I could eat a horse!
to cry a river (of tears)	to cry excessively or uncontrollably	Upon hearing the news of her best friend moving away, she cried a river of tears, feeling utterly devastated.
to be as tall as a mountain	to be very tall or large in stature	The skyscrapers in the city are as tall as mountains, towering over the skyline.
to be the best thing since sliced bread	to be an excellent person or thing	If everyone’s telling you you’re the greatest thing since sliced bread, you start to believe it.
I’ve told you a million times!	I’ve told you so many times!	Mom, I’ve told you a million times not to forget your keys!
This bag weighs a ton!	This bag is super heavy!	I struggled to lift my friend’s suitcase at the airport; it weighed a ton!
to wait for an eternity / forever	to wait for an exceptionally long time	We we had to wait for an eternity in the traffic jam before finally reaching our destination.
to be older than the hills	(of someone or something) to be very old/ancient	The traditions of this village are older than the hills, passed down through generations.
like thunder	loud, powerful, or resonant	The applause from the audience rolled through the auditorium like thunder.
It’s (like) torture!	It is extremely unpleasant/painful/difficult to endure!	Studying for finals without any sleep feels like torture.
as light as a feather	extremely light in weight	After the workout, I felt as light as a feather.
faster than the speed of light	incredibly fast	His car accelerates faster than the speed of light.
I’m dying of thirst!	I’m extremely thirsty!	After hiking for hours, I’m dying of thirst!
I have a mountain of homework!	I have a very large amount of homework.	It’s the weekend, but I have a mountain of homework to finish.
I could sleep for a week!	I’m very tired and could sleep for a super long time.	After the marathon, I was so exhausted I could sleep for a week!
as strong as an ox	very strong and robust	Even at his age, he’s still as strong as an ox.
This job is killing me!	This job is extremely stressful or exhausting!	The overtime and deadlines are relentless; this job is killing me!
The line is a mile long!	The line is very long in length.	At the theme park, the line for the popular ride was a mile long.
I laughed my head off!	I laughed very loudly and uncontrollably.	At the comedy show, I laughed my head off at every joke.
Her smile can light up a room.	Her smile is very radiant and has a positive impact on everyone around her.	She has such a warm personality; her smile can light up a room.

Practice

Click the link here and choose the right words or pictures to complete the hyperboles in the sentences.

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