Communicating is an art, and one that can be difficult to master . The use of the lexicon, the rhythm, the intonation, the non-verbal language that accompanies, qualifies or even denies what is expressed orally or the context in which it is applied are aspects to be taken into account when interpreting a message, the meaning of which may vary according to the intention of the sender.

The use of figures such as irony is a sign of the high level of richness that our language has and its link to our cognitive and social abilities. In this article we offer you as an example a series of ironic phrases .

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The irony

Irony is the use of language by which we use our oral expressions to mean either the opposite of what we are actually saying or something other than what would be interpreted simply by the meaning of our words. On many occasions, the ironic meaning is evident through the use of non-verbal language. or it is only visible due to the situation in which it is emitted. It is usually used in a comical, acidic and/or cynical tone .

It’s important not to identify irony with sarcasm. Although the latter can be considered a subtype of irony, in sarcasm we intend to make harmful use of our message. That is, irony is used to insult or criticize the recipient. Although irony can be critical, it does not have to be offensive.

About thirty ironic phrases

The following are a series of phrases full of irony, in which it can be observed that the meaning given to the message by the sender is not the same as that given to the words per se or even the opposite. Some of them can be considered sarcastic.

1. What a nice day it is! Fancy a walk under this summer sun

Irony when there is a storm, hail or extreme cold.

2. I find television very educational. Every time someone turns it on, I go to another room to read a book

The irony of this sentence by Groucho Marx lies in the fact that it is avoiding watching television that makes its author consider its educational presence, and not television itself as it seems to say in the first sentence.

3. Please don’t suffer so much

Usually by way of reproach, someone is told that they are totally calm and even happy in a tense situation.

4. Marriage is the main cause for divorce

This sentence could be talking about the causes of divorce, but ironically it uses the requirement for being able to get a divorce (which is being married) as if it were its cause.

5. I will put your opinions in my bank account, to see if they generate any interest over time

A way of telling someone that their opinions on certain issues are not valued positively.

6. If you don’t tell me, I don’t even realize it

The ironic use is when it is used in situations where they communicate something we know about and it is evident.

7. I like you when you are silent because you are kind of absent

Although it is part of a poem by Pablo Neruda, this phrase is sometimes used ironically to indicate someone to shut up because they are upset.

8. It was so good that I left it for someone else to enjoy/ It’s so disgusting that I’m going to finish it so that someone doesn’t get intoxicated

One way of saying that a meal was not exactly to our taste/ we love it.

9. You must be very tired after all that work…

Ironic if used on someone who has spent the day sleeping or doing nothing.

10. What good luck I have!

This phrase is ironic when used when something bad or unwanted happens.

11. Hilarious. I’m crying my eyes out. Seriously, I’m going to be crushed.

When someone says something out of place, they make a joke that bothers us or leaves us cold.

12. Keep talking, please. Yawning is my way of showing you how much I care about what you have to say

A way to make clear the lack of interest in what we are being told or tried to sell. This sentence is clearly sarcastic.

13. We weren’t expecting you so soon

It’s used as an irony when someone is late.

14. Angry me? How do you come up with this nonsense?

When someone has done something that provokes our anger and didn’t expect our reaction, they usually ask us about it. This kind of ironic response usually makes our anger clear to them.

15. Don’t talk so much or my head will explode

An irony that is used is that one is in a group and no one tries or dares to start or hold a conversation.

16. I have never seen anything so wonderful

Employed with irony, I would refer to something that we did not like at all and in fact found horrifying.

17. What an angel!

It is used to refer to someone who is not characterized precisely by his or her kindness and good behavior towards others but rather by the opposite.

18. Nice way to answer

Irony used as a reproach for an angry or misplaced response.

19. The experience is a wonderful thing. It allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again

The irony of this sentence is that the person making it has just repeated a mistake he made earlier, which he should have been allowed to avoid in principle.

20. If you don’t read the paper you’re not informed. If you read it, you are uninformed

This sentence by Mark Twain reflects the lack of objectivity of the press and indicates that ironically, instead of being informed, those who read it are misinformed because the information is biased and/or manipulated.

21. If you don’t have any enemies, it means that you haven’t done something right

When we do things right and achieve our goals it is not uncommon for other people to hate, envy or criticize us because of our success. The irony lies in the fact that doing things well and with good intentions is what usually leads to having some kind of enemies.

22. My opinion may have changed, but not the fact that I am right

The fact that one has had to change one’s mind implies that one was previously in the wrong, so this is an ironic attempt to make it seem that both before and after I considered that I was right.

23. Don’t get so excited

A phrase used when we are given unexpected and apparently good news to which we do not have an immediate reaction or the news or situation in question does not cause us the reaction that the other person expects.

24. I am so smart that sometimes I don’t understand a word I say

A line by Oscar Wilde.

25. A good listener often thinks about something else

This phrase from Hubbard refers to the fact that often the one who seems to be listening with total attention is ironically the one who is paying the least attention by being absorbed in his thoughts.

26. No, I wasn’t sleeping. I’m practicing for when I die.

A somewhat brutal way of making it seem that we were indeed asleep and they woke us up.

27. Thank you very much!

When someone does not do something that was agreed upon beforehand, does not help when needed or even does something that is harmful to us, a thank you is ironic.

28. I have never heard anything so accurate

It’s used ironically when someone says something absurd.

29. Clearly, I’ve let myself be won over!

Irony can also be used on oneself, making it clear in this case that one has just lost.

30. How could I not give you permission for that?

This phrase is ironic when used to make it seem that what you are asking for will not be granted.