Question

Match each example to the correct figure of speech.

Answer 1

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...)

Answer 2

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.