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What's the word for it when ....

30 replies

BrightSideOfTheMoon · 24/01/2025 18:51

... you make a comment which is obviously not meant to be acted on or taken literally, but conveys frustration or exasperation? So, for example, saying something like 'just kill me now' or 'we'll just have to send the dog back to (wherever)'

OP posts:
LittleRedRidingHoody · 24/01/2025 18:52

Sarcasm?

iamjustwinginglife · 24/01/2025 18:54

Hyperbole?

PsychoSyd · 24/01/2025 18:56

Rhetoric?

BrightSideOfTheMoon · 24/01/2025 18:56

Hyperbole in that they are not meant to be taken literally...

OP posts:
TankFlyBossWalkJamNittyGrittyIAmFromAMidSizeCity · 24/01/2025 18:56

Rhetorical statement?

hexsnidgett · 24/01/2025 19:05

Hyperbole I think.

moonlightandsunbeams · 24/01/2025 19:16

An idiom

LunaNorth · 24/01/2025 20:46

Irony.

LaMarschallin · 24/01/2025 20:49

Pretty sure it's hyperbole.
Which I used to think (not as long ago as I'd like Blush) was pronounced "hyper-bowl".
Bit like the Super Bowl but better.

LunaNorth · 24/01/2025 20:56

Hyperbole is exaggeration.

Irony is saying the opposite of what you mean.

So it’s kind of between the two.

FrannyScraps · 24/01/2025 20:58

Overkill?

SlatternIsMyMiddleName · 24/01/2025 20:59

I thought hyperbole is when you use overly dramatic language to describe something.

happy to be educated.

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/01/2025 21:00

moonlightandsunbeams · 24/01/2025 19:16

An idiom

I agree with this. A hyperbole is an exaggeration and those phrases aren't that.

Coldanddamp · 24/01/2025 21:01

It's figurative language so could be an idiom, hyperbole, etc depending on the actual phrase you say.

AmethystRuby · 24/01/2025 21:04

figuratively speaking or idiom. not hyperbole as that is used when dramatically exaggerating a term

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:15

Sorry to crash but got a question of my own if ok

When someone tried to get themselves into a situation or invite or tries to join something they're not invited. Wheedle their way in? No. I mean they just sort of insert themselves. A colleague said " oh he's insinuated his way in". But it's not that. But what is it ?

HPandthelastwish · 24/01/2025 21:20

@tattooshka Cambridge Dictionary

to use clever, secret, and often unpleasant methods to gradually become part of something: Over the years she insinuated herself into the great man's life.

Your friend was right

Coldanddamp · 24/01/2025 21:22

@tattooshka a gatecrasher? imposing?

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:23

@HPandthelastwish fabulous thank you. There's another word too I was thinking but maybe I had to e wrong one if insinuated was right ! I'm usually good with words but peri...it steals things

CaptainMyCaptain · 24/01/2025 21:23

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:15

Sorry to crash but got a question of my own if ok

When someone tried to get themselves into a situation or invite or tries to join something they're not invited. Wheedle their way in? No. I mean they just sort of insert themselves. A colleague said " oh he's insinuated his way in". But it's not that. But what is it ?

Insinuated sounds right to me.

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:24

Inveigle!!!

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:24

Wrong context i think but just came to me

Coldanddamp · 24/01/2025 21:24

to use clever, secret, and often unpleasant methods to gradually become part of something: Over the years she insinuated herself into the great man's life.

I thought @tattooshka meant inserting without any charm (wheedle) or in a clever way more just doing it bluntly.

HPandthelastwish · 24/01/2025 21:25

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:23

@HPandthelastwish fabulous thank you. There's another word too I was thinking but maybe I had to e wrong one if insinuated was right ! I'm usually good with words but peri...it steals things

I only Googled it because I don't think I've ever heard it used to mean that so every day's a school day.

tattooshka · 24/01/2025 21:25

@CaptainMyCaptain yes it was right and o was wrong with my random thought of inveigle.