understatement

Understatement is a figure of speech in which the magnitude or importance of something is deliberately presented as smaller or less significant than it actually is. It often relies on context and the audience’s recognition of the implied meaning, and it can serve ironic, humorous, or polite purposes. A common form in English is litotes, where a positive attribute is expressed by negating its opposite (for example, "not bad" meaning good). More broadly, the device can be called meiosis, a deliberate understatement that minimizes the importance of an event, situation, or achievement.

Understatement appears in everyday speech, literature, and media. It can soften criticism or deflate bravado, create dry or subtle humor, or invite readers to infer meaning beyond the words. For example, after a minor car collision someone might say, "It’s just a scratch," while the damage is more serious, highlighting irony rather than factual precision.

Cultural and stylistic factors influence its use; in some languages and cultures indirectness and modesty are common norms, and understatement can function as a socially appropriate form of communication. In critique or satire, understated language can intensify impact through contrast with assumed consequences or with more explicit statements.