30 Hyperboles in English

30 Hyperboles in English (with Meanings & Examples)

Hello, English learners 👋 Welcome to a new lesson. Today, we’re looking at 30 common hyperboles in English — colourful expressions that native speakers use all the time to exaggerate for effect.

What is hyperbole?

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that uses deliberate exaggeration to create emphasis, add humour, or express strong emotion. It is not meant to be taken literally.

You’ll hear hyperbole everywhere: in stories, jokes, everyday conversation, and even informal writing. It’s especially useful when you want to sound more natural, expressive, and fluent.

For example:

I’m so tired I could sleep for a year.

No one really sleeps that long — but the feeling is crystal clear.

Below are 30 common hyperboles, with clear meanings and natural example sentences, suitable for B2 First and C1 Advanced learners.

30 Hyperboles in English

1. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse

Meaning: Extremely hungry.

After the hike, I was so hungry I could eat a horse.

2. I’ve told you a million times

Meaning: Said something many times.

I’ve told you a million times to turn off the lights.

3. This bag weighs a ton

Meaning: Very heavy.

Can you help me? This bag weighs a ton.

4. He runs faster than the wind

Meaning: Extremely fast.

Once he started sprinting, he ran faster than the wind.

5. I had to wait forever

Meaning: Waited for a very long time.

I had to wait forever for the bus this morning.

6. My phone is blowing up

Meaning: Receiving many messages or notifications.

My phone is blowing up with messages about the news.

7. The whole world knows about it

Meaning: Very widely known.

It felt like the whole world knew about my mistake.

8. I’m dying of laughter

Meaning: Laughing a lot.

That video was hilarious — I’m dying of laughter.

9. This is the worst day ever

Meaning: Feeling extremely upset about the day.

After missing my flight, I thought, “This is the worst day ever.”

10. I cried a river

Meaning: Cried a lot.

She cried a river after watching the sad film.

11. It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop

Meaning: Completely silent.

When the exam started, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

12. He has a heart of stone

Meaning: Very unkind or unemotional.

Anyone who could say that has a heart of stone.

13. She’s older than the hills

Meaning: Very old (often humorous).

My uncle jokes that he’s older than the hills.

14. It took an eternity

Meaning: Took a very long time.

The meeting felt like it took an eternity.

15. She’s as light as a feather

Meaning: Very light.

The parcel was as light as a feather.

16. He’s got an endless supply of energy

Meaning: Never seems to get tired.

Even after midnight, he still had an endless supply of energy.

17. Her smile lit up the whole room

Meaning: A very warm or joyful smile.

When she arrived, her smile lit up the whole room.

18. I’ve been working my fingers to the bone

Meaning: Working extremely hard.

I’ve been working my fingers to the bone all week.

19. His jokes are as old as time

Meaning: Very old or unoriginal.

He needs new material — his jokes are as old as time.

20. I’m so tired I could sleep for a year

Meaning: Extremely tired.

After the night shift, I was so tired I could sleep for a year.

21. She was as tall as a skyscraper

Meaning: Extremely tall.

In those heels, she looked as tall as a skyscraper.

22. His brain is the size of a pea

Meaning: Not very intelligent (informal, humorous).

Ignore him — his brain’s the size of a pea.

23. I’m frozen solid

Meaning: Very cold.

I forgot my coat and was frozen solid.

24. He’s got nerves of steel

Meaning: Very brave and calm under pressure.

You need nerves of steel to do that job.

25. I’ve hit the jackpot

Meaning: Extremely lucky or successful.

Getting that offer felt like hitting the jackpot.

26. I’m melting in this heat

Meaning: Feeling extremely hot.

Without air conditioning, I’m melting in this heat.

27. She was drowning in paperwork

Meaning: Overwhelmed with work.

By Friday, she was drowning in paperwork.

28. It cost an arm and a leg

Meaning: Very expensive.

The flat is beautiful, but it cost an arm and a leg.

29. His voice could shatter glass

Meaning: Extremely loud or high-pitched.

When he shouted, his voice could shatter glass.

30. I’ve got a ton of work to do

Meaning: A very large amount of work.

Before the deadline, I’ve got a ton of work to do.

Final tip for learners 

Hyperbole is perfect for speaking and informal writing, but be careful in formal essays and reports. Used naturally, it makes your English sound more vivid, confident, and human — exactly what examiners love in speaking tests.

Learn 20 commonly used metaphors in English here

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