a bit of an exaggeration

USAGE SUMMARY

"a bit of an exaggeration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that something is more than what it seems or if it is overly dramatic. For example, "The amount of food he ate was a bit of an exaggeration; he only ate one plate of rice."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is a bit of an exaggeration.

The Economist

Alright, that's a bit of an exaggeration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, jump in is a bit of an exaggeration.

Yale University

History suggests that is a bit of an exaggeration.

The New York Times

That's probably because plans is a bit of an exaggeration.

The New York Times

That's a bit of an exaggeration, but not much.

The Washington Post

THIS might be a bit of an exaggeration.

The New York Times

OK, so that's a bit of an exaggeration.

The Guardian

Exploded is probably a bit of an exaggeration.

The Guardian - Sport

Actually, "private jet" was, when he thought about it, a bit of an exaggeration.

The New York Times - Magazine

("Copywriter might be a bit of an exaggeration," he said, "I wasn't exactly Don Draper").

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a bit of an exaggeration" to politely point out when someone is overstating something, without directly accusing them of lying. This softens the impact and keeps the conversation constructive.

Common error

Avoid using "a bit of an exaggeration" when you actually mean something is an understatement. Exaggeration inflates the truth, while understatement minimizes it; the two are opposites.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a bit of an exaggeration" functions as a qualifier, softening the impact of a statement by suggesting it's not entirely accurate. As Ludwig shows, it is frequently used to politely express disagreement or skepticism without being overly confrontational.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a bit of an exaggeration" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that a statement is not entirely accurate, serving as a polite way to express disagreement or skepticism. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Related phrases include "a slight overstatement" and "somewhat overstated". When using this phrase, remember to consider the context and avoid confusing exaggeration with understatement. This nuanced phrase provides a gentle way to moderate claims without direct confrontation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a slight overstatement

Emphasizes the act of stating something more strongly than the facts warrant, but only slightly.

a touch hyperbolic

Indicates the statement uses hyperbole, meaning it is exaggerated for effect.

somewhat overstated

Highlights the degree to which something has been exaggerated, implying it's more than it should be.

a mild embellishment

Suggests the statement has been made more interesting or attractive by adding details that may not be entirely true.

stretching the truth slightly

Focuses on the act of bending the truth, but only to a small extent.

a bit of hyperbole

Highlights the use of exaggerated language for emphasis or effect.

slightly amplified

Implies that the statement has been increased in intensity or importance.

colored with exaggeration

Suggests that the statement contains elements of exaggeration, affecting its accuracy.

a theatrical flourish

Indicates the statement is dramatically emphasized, possibly beyond what is warranted.

somewhat amplified

Suggests that the statement is more amplified than what is.

FAQs

How can I use "a bit of an exaggeration" in a sentence?

You can use "a bit of an exaggeration" to gently suggest that something may not be entirely true or accurate. For instance, "Saying he runs every day is "a bit of an exaggeration"; he runs three times a week."

What's a less direct way to say something is "a bit of an exaggeration"?

Consider using phrases like "a slight overstatement" or "somewhat overstated" to soften the criticism. These alternatives are more subtle.

Is it appropriate to use "a bit of an exaggeration" in formal writing?

While "a bit of an exaggeration" is generally acceptable, it might be perceived as informal in certain formal contexts. In those cases, opting for phrases like "somewhat amplified" could be more suitable.

What is the difference between "a bit of an exaggeration" and "a lie"?

"A bit of an exaggeration" implies an overstatement or stretching of the truth, whereas "a lie" suggests a deliberate falsehood. The former might involve some truth, while the latter is entirely untrue.