The flowers withered faster than the speed of light.
<em>Hyperbole</em> (from Greek 'excess'), is a figure of speech that uses extreme exaggeration. The opposite of a hyperbole is an understatement.
Hyperboles are not comparisons like metaphors but extravagant and sometimes ridiculous overstatements, not meant to be taken literally. They are perfect for creative writing and communication, especially if one wants to make a story funny or humorous.
Some examples of a hyperbole are:
- I'm so hungry<em> I could eat a horse.</em>
- I have a <em>million things to do.</em>
- She is as skinny <em>as a tooth pick.</em>