---
title: "Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement."
description: "Last week we discussed about Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement. Periphrasis is a sty..."
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published: "2014-03-25T03:57:57+00:00"
modified: "2014-03-25T03:57:57+00:00"
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site_name: "Yvision.kz"
---

# Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement.

> Last week we discussed about Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement. Periphrasis is a sty...

Last week we discussed about Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement.

***Periphrasis*** is a stylistic device that consists in the renaming of an object by a phrase that brings out some particular feature of it. Rendering a purely individual perception of the object the device can be decipherable only in context. If a periphrastic locution is understandable outside the context, it is not a stylistic device but merely a synonymous expression.

![Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement.](https://storage.yvision.kz/images/user/galantseva/QaUFN078xVoFddUzo7WJ7gVF0Q2c2d.jpg)

**Divisions of Stylistic Periphrasis:**

***Logical*** - based on one inherent properties or perhaps a passing feature of the object described.

Example: “the object of his admiration” (pertaining to “love”)

***Figurative*** – based either on metaphor or metonymy, the keyword of the collocation being the word used figuratively.

Example: “the punctual servant of all work” (pertaining to “the sun”)

[http://estylistics.blogspot.com/2012/05/periphrasis.html](http://estylistics.blogspot.com/2012/05/periphrasis.html)

 

***Euphemism*** masks a rude or impolite expression but conveys the concept clearly and politely.

Here are some particularly amusing examples, except where downright offensive:

· If you are offered a **career change** or an **early retirement opportunity**, a **career or employee transition**, or you are being **involuntarily separated**, or if **personnel is being realigned** or there is a **surplus reduction in personnel**, or the **staff is being re-engineered or right sized**, or if there is a **workforce imbalance correction** then: You’re fired!

· You aren’t poor, you are **economically disadvantaged.**

· You aren’t broke, you have **temporary negative cash flow.**

**[http://lynnschneiderbooks.com/2011/12/23/20-examples-of-great-euphemisms/](http://lynnschneiderbooks.com/2011/12/23/20-examples-of-great-euphemisms/)**

 

A ***hyperbole*** is an extreme **exaggeration** used to make a point.

**Common Examples of Hyperbole:**

· My grandmother is as old as the hills.

· Your suitcase weighs a ton!

· She is as heavy as an elephant!

· I am dying of shame.

· I am trying to solve a million issues these days.

![Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement.](https://storage.yvision.kz/images/user/galantseva/JH4i52Xx5xJPnZtRP5AriH7SfkODqh.jpg)

He's got tons of money.

![Periphrasis, Euphemism, Hyperbole, Understatement.](http://storage.yvision.kz/images/user/galantseva/sE31OxI4f1v7Tc30GIJFr98H87Y2Xm.gif)

I had a ton of homework.

[http://literarydevices.net/hyperbole/](http://literarydevices.net/hyperbole/)

 

An ***understatement*** is a figure of speech employed by writers or speakers to intentionally make a situation seem less important than it really is.

**Examples Of Understatement:**

· "It's a bit yellow" - while describing a very yellow canary.

· "There is some music by Beethoven in his Ninth Symphony" - while describing Beethoven's famous work.

· "The desert is sometimes dry and sandy" - While describing the driest desert in the world.

· "It is just a little cool today" - when the temperature outside is 5° below zero.

· "The food was tolerable" - on the food that was prepared by the best chef in the world.

· "The cars drove at a fair clip" - while watching a car race.

[http://fos.iloveindia.com/understatment-examples.html](http://fos.iloveindia.com/understatment-examples.html)

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Source: [https://yvision.kz/post/periphrasis-euphemism-hyperbole-understatement-406694](https://yvision.kz/post/periphrasis-euphemism-hyperbole-understatement-406694)