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A comparison between two unlike things using 'like' or 'as'. Example: Her smile was as bright as the sun.

A brief and indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, literary, or political significance. Example: Don’t act like a Romeo in front of her.

A statement that, despite sound reasoning from acceptable premises, leads to a conclusion that seems senseless, logically unacceptable, or self-contradictory. Example: This statement is false.

The direct opposite, a sharp contrast. Example: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

A figure of speech in which the speaker directly addresses an absent or imaginary person, or a personified abstraction. Example: O Death, where is thy sting?

An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or humor. Example: I've told you a million times.

A joke exploiting the different possible meanings of a word or the fact that there are words which sound alike but have different meanings. Example: Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.

The formation of a word from a sound associated with what is named. Example: Boom, hiss, crackle.

A mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Example: Passed away instead of died.

A comparison between two unlike things without using 'like' or 'as'. Example: Time is a thief.

Attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or abstract concepts. Example: The wind whispered through the trees.

The expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect. Example: A fire station burns down.

A rhetorical or literary figure in which words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order. Example: Never let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You.

A story, poem, or picture that can be interpreted to reveal a hidden meaning, typically a moral or political one. Example: George Orwell's 'Animal Farm' is an allegory for the Russian Revolution.

A figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept. Example: The pen is mightier than the sword (where 'pen' stands for 'written words', and 'sword' for 'military power').

A figure of speech in which a part is made to represent the whole or vice versa. Example: All hands on deck (where 'hands' refers to people).

The repetition of the same initial letter, sound, or group of sounds in a series of words. Example: Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.

Ironical understatement in which an affirmative is expressed by the negative of its contrary. Example: You won't be sorry, meaning you'll be glad.

A figure of speech in which apparently contradictory terms appear in conjunction. Example: Bitter sweet.