25 hyperbole examples with sentence ideas
Hey, $mart parents 👋
Teach money lessons at home with Greenlight’s $mart Parent newsletter. Money tips, insights, and fun family trivia — delivered every month.
A hyperbole is a type of figurative language that uses extreme exaggeration to make a point. It’s not meant to be taken literally, it’s just a way to add a little drama or humor to your words.
For example, if you say, “I’m so hungry I could eat a horse,” you don’t actually mean it. You’re just showing how super hungry you feel.
Hyperboles are especially fun for kids because they can make everyday thoughts sound more exciting. They also come in handy for writing assignments, storytelling, or even just chatting with friends.
Want to explore more language tools? Check out examples of onomatopoeia, SAT words, and commonly misspelled words.
25 simple hyperboles and how to use them
1. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse
Meaning: I’m very hungry.
How to use it: After soccer practice, I was so hungry I could eat a horse.
2. I’ve told you a million times
Meaning: I’ve said this many times.
How to use it: Clean your room! I’ve told you a million times already.
3. My backpack weighs a ton
Meaning: My backpack is really heavy.
How to use it: With all these books, my backpack weighs a ton!
4. It’s raining cats and dogs
Meaning: It’s raining really hard.
How to use it: We had to run inside because it was raining cats and dogs.
5. This bag of chips is never-ending
Meaning: The bag seems to have a lot of chips.
#1 family finance and safety app
How to use it: I’ve been snacking forever — this bag is never-ending!
6. I waited forever
Meaning: I waited a long time.
How to use it: We waited forever in line for the new ride at the amusement park.
7. I’m dying of laughter
Meaning: Something is very funny.
How to use it: That joke was so funny — I’m dying of laughter!
8. My feet are killing me
Meaning: My feet hurt.
How to use it: After hiking all day, my feet are killing me.
9. This room is a thousand degrees
Meaning: It feels very hot.
How to use it: Can we turn on the fan? It’s a thousand degrees in here!
10. I have a ton of homework
Meaning: I have a lot of homework.
How to use it: I can’t play right now — I have a ton of homework.
11. He runs faster than the wind
Meaning: He runs very fast.
How to use it: On field day, Jake ran faster than the wind.
12. She’s older than dirt
Meaning: She’s very old (used jokingly).
How to use it: My grandma says she’s older than dirt, but she still dances!
13. That test was the easiest thing in the world
Meaning: It was very easy.
How to use it: I studied all week, so the test felt like the easiest thing in the world.
14. I’m so tired I could sleep for a year
Meaning: I’m very tired.
How to use it: After our camping trip, I felt like I could sleep for a year.
15. This is the best day ever
Meaning: This day is amazing.
How to use it: We went to the zoo and had ice cream. It was the best day ever!
16. You could hear a pin drop
Meaning: It was very quiet.
How to use it: When the principal walked in, you could hear a pin drop.
17. My phone is ancient
Meaning: My phone is really old.
How to use it: Everyone has new phones, but mine is ancient.
18. He’s got a mountain of toys
Meaning: He has a lot of toys.
How to use it: You should see Liam’s room — it’s a mountain of toys!
19. That movie lasted a lifetime
Meaning: The movie felt really long.
How to use it: I liked it, but the movie felt like it lasted a lifetime.
20. I was scared out of my mind
Meaning: I was really scared.
How to use it: The haunted house was so spooky. I was scared out of my mind.
21. This pencil is as dull as a brick
Meaning: The pencil doesn’t work well.
How to use it: I need to sharpen this; it’s as dull as a brick.
22. I could sleep through an earthquake
Meaning: I’m a very heavy sleeper.
How to use it: My brother says I could sleep through an earthquake.
23. I’m drowning in chores
Meaning: I have too many chores.
How to use it: Mom gave me a whole list. I’m drowning in chores.
24. That ice cream was out of this world
Meaning: The ice cream was really good.
How to use it: Mint chocolate chip? Out of this world!
25. The whole world was watching
Meaning: It felt like everyone was paying attention.
How to use it: I tripped onstage, and it felt like the whole world was watching.
Easy ways to get better at using hyperboles
Think of strong feelings. Start with something big — excitement, fear, hunger — and exaggerate from there.
Keep it fun and light. Hyperboles are about creativity, not accuracy.
Use them to make a point. Great for writing stories, essays, or giving funny descriptions.
Don’t overdo it. One hyperbole goes a long way. Use them sparingly for the best effect.
Hyperbole FAQs
Are hyperboles lies?
Nope, they’re just playful exaggerations to make language more fun.
Can kids use hyperboles in school writing?
Yes! Especially in creative writing or persuasive essays.
Is a hyperbole the same as a metaphor?
Not exactly. A metaphor compares two things directly, while a hyperbole stretches the truth.
What’s the difference between exaggeration and hyperbole?
All hyperboles are exaggerations, but not all exaggerations are hyperboles. Hyperboles are usually way over-the-top.
A way to express yourself
When kids understand how to express themselves, they’re better prepared to explain ideas, make smart arguments, and even talk about money goals. Communication is a core part of financial literacy, and knowing how to speak clearly and creatively helps kids become thoughtful, confident decision-makers.
Have more fun — and learn more money skills. Greenlight teaches money lessons in engaging, bite-sized challenges that make learning fun for kids. Try Greenlight, one month, risk-free.†
This blog post is provided “as is” and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice. Some content in this post may have been created using artificial intelligence; however, every blog post is reviewed by at least two human editors.
Share via
