Some tricks to sound more natural in English
Let’s face it: studying abroad is not always what the glossy brochures promise. Especially if you’re staying with a host family in the UK, dealing with cold mornings, long walks, and “interesting” food options. But how do students talk about all this?
With a mix of understatement and exaggeration, of course.
Let’s start with this fictional (but totally believable) conversation between two Oxford students—one rich, one not—both trying to survive in their own way.
🎭 Dialogue: “Roughing It at Oxford”
Sophie – wealthy, dramatic
Lena – scholarship student, practical and witty
Sophie: Lena, I honestly don’t know how people survive in host families. The bed is so small—I’m basically sleeping in a shoebox.
Lena: At least your shoebox has central heating. Mine’s more of a… cardboard tent.
Sophie: I had to share a bathroom. With the family. It’s so medieval.
Lena: That’s adorable. I shower at the gym because the boiler’s been broken for a week.
Sophie: Ugh. And I walk, like, fifteen minutes to class. Uphill. In the wind. It’s brutal.
Lena: Mine’s thirty. Uphill both ways. In the rain. And I wear the same coat every day.
Sophie: You poor thing. You really are roughing it.
Lena: It’s Oxford, not Everest. But thanks.
This funny yet insightful exchange highlights two powerful tools in English: exaggeration and understatement.
Let’s break them down.
What is Exaggeration?
Exaggeration is when you make something sound much bigger, worse, better, or more extreme than it really is—usually for effect, humour, or drama.
| Common exaggeration idioms | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “I’m starving.” | I’m very hungry. |
| “This weighs a ton.” | It’s very heavy. |
| “I’ve told you a million times.” | I’ve told you many times. |
| “I’m dying of boredom.” | I’m really bored. |
| “It cost an arm and a leg.” | It was very expensive. |
Grammar patterns of exaggeration
“I’m so tired I could sleep for a week.”
“It’s absolutely freezing out there!”
“I was shaking like a leaf.”
Tip: Exaggeration often includes extreme adjectives, similes, and over-the-top numbers.
What is Understatement?
Understatement is when you describe something as less important, serious, or intense than it actually is. It’s common in British English and often used for irony or subtle humour.
Common Understatement Idioms
| Idioms | Meaning |
|---|---|
| “Not bad” | Actually quite good. |
| “We had a bit of rain” | There was a huge storm. |
| “It’s no big deal” | It’s actually quite a big deal. |
| “Things got a little out of hand” | It was total chaos. |
| “He’s a bit moody” | He’s very temperamental. |
Grammar patterns of understatement
“It’s a bit chilly today.” (when it’s freezing)
“I suppose it could’ve gone better.” (when something went terribly wrong)
“It wasn’t my best moment.” (when you totally failed)
Tip: Understatement often uses softeners (a bit, quite, not bad), and minimising modal verbs (could, might, suppose).
💡 Why This Matters
Understanding exaggeration and understatement helps you:
Sound more natural in conversation
Interpret tone and sarcasm
Understand cultural humour, especially in British English
Express emotion creatively, instead of always saying “very” or “really.”
🎓 Classroom Challenge
Ask your students to:
✅ Rewrite the dialogue using neutral language
✅ Create their own dialogue mixing understatement and exaggeration
✅ Match idioms to their real meanings
✅ Write about a day in their life using 3 exaggerations and 2 understatements
🔚 Final Thoughts
Whether you’re sleeping in a shoebox or walking to school through a monsoon (or just saying you are), mastering the art of exaggeration and understatement helps you communicate with colour and character.
Because sometimes, “it’s not that bad” actually means “this is a nightmare”—and “a bit of a walk” feels like a trek through the Himalayas.
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that when one part of your life starts going okay, another falls spectacularly to pieces.”
