Question:
Identify the figure of speech in the expression: “Deafening silence”
Identify the figure of speech in the expression: “Deafening silence”
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Whenever you spot a two-word description where the two words completely fight against one another's literal definitions, you are looking at an Oxymoron! Keep these famous examples in mind for easy recognition:
- Deafening silence
- Open secret
- Seriously funny
- Bittersweet memories
Updated On: Jun 3, 2026
- Hyperbole
- Metaphor
- Oxymoron
- Personification
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Verified By Collegedunia
The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Figures of speech are literary devices that use language in non-literal ways to create emphasis, imagery, or dramatic effect. When two entirely contradictory or opposite terms are deliberately placed side-by-side to highlight a striking paradox, the literary device is called an oxymoron.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's analyze the mechanics of the target phrase alongside the definitions of the literary figures: Hyperbole: An extreme exaggeration used to add emphasis or humor, not a contradiction (e.g., "I am so hungry I could eat a horse"). Metaphor: A direct comparison between two unrelated things without using comparison words like "like" or "as" (e.g., "Time is a thief"). Oxymoron (Correct): A literary device that couples two completely opposing or conflicting ideas next to each other. In the phrase "Deafening silence", the adjective deafening implies an intensely loud noise, while the noun silence means a total absence of sound. Placing them together emphasizes an intense, heavy, or uncomfortable quietness. Personification: Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or behaviors to non-human objects or abstract ideas (e.g., "The wind whispered through the trees"). This confirms that the phrase is an oxymoron.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The figure of speech used in the expression is an Oxymoron (Option c).
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