What Is Euphemism? – Meaning and Definition

What Is Euphemism?

A euphemism is a mild or indirect word or expression used in place of one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing. Euphemisms are used to avoid directly addressing sensitive or taboo topics, and to make them more palatable or socially acceptable. They can be used to soften the blow of bad news or to make something less offensive.

For example, instead of saying “I was fired,” someone might say “I was let go” as a euphemism.

Another example would be “passed away” instead of “died”.

Euphemisms can be found in all types of language, including everyday conversation, official statements, and advertising. They are used to create a more positive or polite image or to create a sense of political correctness.

It’s important to note that euphemisms can be used to hide the truth or to avoid responsibility. It can also be used to mislead or manipulate people.

Examples of Euphemism

Here are a few examples of euphemisms:

• I was let go. (instead of “I was fired”)
• He passed away. (instead of “He died”)
• She’s a little heavy. (instead of “She’s overweight”)
• He’s between jobs. (instead of “He’s unemployed”)
• We had a downsizing. (instead of “We laid off employees”)
• He’s resting. (instead of “He’s dead”)
• She’s in a better place. (instead of “She’s dead”)
• He’s challenged. (instead of “He’s disabled”)
• He’s on vacation. (instead of “He’s been fired”)
• Let’s just agree to disagree. (instead of “I don’t want to argue with you”)
• She’s a senior citizen. (instead of “She’s old”)
• He’s been reassigned. (instead of “He’s been demoted”)
• I’m just passing through. (instead of “I’m homeless”)
• I’m not available. (instead of “I don’t want to talk to you”)
• He’s retired. (instead of “He’s been fired”)
• She’s with child. (instead of “She’s pregnant”)
• He’s under new management. (instead of “He’s been fired”)
• It’s a personnel issue. (instead of “It’s a problem with an employee”)
• She’s a little bit pregnant. (instead of “She’s pregnant”)
• He’s taking a leave of absence. (instead of “He’s been fired”)
  

List of Most Commonly Used Euphemisms for Everyday Communication

Euphemism	Meaning	Euphemism	Meaning
Well-to-do	Rich	Well-off	Rich
On the streets	Homeless	Between jobs	Unemployed
Bun in the oven	Pregnant	Negative cash flow	Having debts
Golden years	Old age	Differently-abled	Not possessing normal physical, mental and psychological abilities
Let one go	To fire someone	Big-boned	Fat or large
Curvy	Fat	Well-fed	Overweight
Pre-owned	Used by someone else	Lay off	To fire someone
Hearing-impaired	Used to refer to someone who is completely or partially deaf	Speech-impaired	Used to refer to someone who has speech-related issues
Telling stories	Refers to the act of lying	Tell tales	Refers to the act of gossiping or speaking about another person’s actions.
Lose your lunch	Vomit	Pass away	To die
Collateral damage	Refers to the damage done as a result of war, including deaths and injuries	Not the sharpest pencil in the box	Refer to the quality of being stupid
Lost one’s marbles	To refer to someone who is diagnosed/suffering from mental illness	Physically challenged	Used to refer to someone who is handicapped
Mentally challenged	Used to refer to someone who is partially or completely mentally abnormal	Over the hill	Used to refer to someone who is old
Armed intervention	Refers to a military attack	Lost someone	Used to refer to someone’s death
Put to sleep	Euthanise/Refers to the act of mercy killing	A bit under the weather	Used to imply that someone is sick
Couch potato	Used to refer to someone who is lazy	Late bloomer	Used to refer to someone who takes time to understand and learn
Running a little behind	To refer to being late	Outspoken	Used to refer to someone who is bossy and controlling
Overzealous	To refer to someone who is aggressive	Donning the fedora	Stepping out of one’s comfort zone as far as fashion is concerned
Adult beverages	Used to refer to liquor	Underprivileged	To refer to people who are poor
High-rolling	Used to refer to someone who spends money lavishly and thoughtlessly / a spendthrift	Down-and-out	Used to refer to a person who is completely out of money, has no job or a place to stay
A little thin on top	Used to refer to someone who is bald or going bald	To be in the bread lines	Used to refer to people who are so poor that they have to depend on food donations to survive
Whips and jungles	Refers to nervousness and depression	A bit down in the dumps	Used to refer to the state of being unhappy or depressed
To get off the deep end	Used to refer to an emotional outburst, mostly due to anger, resulting in extremely strange behaviour	Blow a fuse	Used to refer to the action of losing one’s temper
To blow a gasket	To become very angry	Visually impaired	Used to refer to someone who is partially or completely blind