Figures of Speech
Understatement
Deliberately downplay something for dramatic or humorous effect.
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What it is
A rhetorical device that deliberately presents something as less significant, intense, or important than it actually is. Often used to create ironic effect, show restraint, or allow the audience to infer the true magnitude of a situation.
Before & after
Before
“Losing our biggest client was terrible.”
After
“Losing our biggest client was... not ideal.”
When you’ll use it
Crisis communications: "We encountered a minor setback" (referring to a major problem)
Achievement announcements: "We did reasonably well this quarter" (after record profits)
Performance reviews: "There's room for improvement" (significant problems need addressing)
Product launches: "It's a decent upgrade" (revolutionary new features)
Pro tip
Deliver with a pause and slight smile to signal the understatement.
Questions & answers
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