Litotes

It’s quite simple. Litotes is a figure of speech in which a person uses a negative statement to enforce the positive. For example, saying not bad instead of good. It’s really an understatement.

The word litotes comes from Greek litos meaning simple, plain.

Snow Patrol - You Could Be Happy

You could be happy and I won't know
But you weren't happy the day I watched you go

And all the things that I wish I had not said
Are played on lips 'til it's madness in my head

Somehow everything I own smells of you
And for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Do the things that you always wanted to
Without me there to hold you back, don't think, just do

Bob Dylan Tomorrow Is A Long Time

If today was not an endless highway,
If tonight was not a crooked trail,
If tomorrow wasn't such a long time,
Then lonesome would mean nothing to you at all.
Yes, and only if my own true love was waitin',
Yes, and if I could hear her heart a-softly poundin',
Only if she was lyin' by me,
Then I'd lie in my bed once again.
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