UNDERSTATEMENT
(also called LITOTES or MEIOSIS)
Definition: exaggeration that shrinks importance; not meant to be taken literally, to create emphasis on something.
Hint: Hyperbole exaggerates things to larger proportions; litotes exaggerates things to smaller proportions
Simple Example:
Torture would obviously be excruciatingly painful. The phrase “it stung a little” completely understates how it felt.
Sophisticated Example:
(Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address to the Nation, January 20, 1989)
President Reagan starts out talking about the great achievements made. But, then he understates their importance by describing them as “not bad, not bad at all”.
Hint: Hyperbole exaggerates things to larger proportions; litotes exaggerates things to smaller proportions
Simple Example:
- “How did it feel when they tortured me? Well, it stung a little.”
Torture would obviously be excruciatingly painful. The phrase “it stung a little” completely understates how it felt.
Sophisticated Example:
- "We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all."
(Ronald Reagan, Farewell Address to the Nation, January 20, 1989)
President Reagan starts out talking about the great achievements made. But, then he understates their importance by describing them as “not bad, not bad at all”.