Question

Match each example to the correct figure of speech.

Euphemism:
Oxymoron:

1.Nick was stretching the truth when he said that he was working on his second novel.
2.Ted thought the game was bittersweet because his team won, but he was injured.
3.The horse was put to sleep after injuring its leg at the derby.
4.After his ordeal, Richard looked like a member of the living dead.

Answer 1

The correct answers are the following:

1. Euphemism: "stretching the truth"

2. Oxymoron: "bittersweet"

3. Euphemism: "was put to sleep"

4. Oxymoron: "living dead"

Euphemism is a gentle or indirect word or phrase which substitutes another that is too harsh or rude. It usually refers to unpleasant or humiliating situations.

Oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two opposite terms are together.

Answer 2

While an oxymoron is a figure of speech where two opposing words in meanings are used together intentionally for creating a special effect, an euphemism is concerned with the use of a word or phrase that replaces another with a less offensive or vulgar meaning.

Examples of oxymorons are:

• 2. Ted thought the game was bittersweet because his team won, but he was injured. (The game was pleasant because of the result, but it included a bit of suffering since Ted ended up injured)
• 4. After his ordeal, Richard looked like a member of the living dead. (Richard seemed to be alive but with a dead soul)

Examples of euphenisms are:

• 1.Nick was stretching the truth when he said that he was working on his second novel. (Nick was saying something that wasn't exactly true...)
• 3.The horse was put to sleep after injuring its leg at the derby. (The horse was sacrified...)