Communicating is an art, and one that can be difficult to master The use of lexicon, rhythm, intonation, non-verbal language that accompanies, qualifies or even refutes what is expressed orally or the context in which it is applied are aspects to take into account when interpreting a message, whose meaning can vary depending on the intention of the issuer.
The use of figures such as irony are an example of the high level of richness that our language has and its connection with our cognitive and social abilities. In this article we offer you a series of ironic phrases as an example of this
Irony is understood as the use of language through which we use our oral expressions implying either the opposite of what we are really saying or something different from what would be interpreted simply with 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 broadcast. It is usually used in a comic, acidic and/or cynical tone
It is important not to identify irony with sarcasm. Although the second 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.
A selection of ironic phrases
Below are a series of phrases full of irony, in which you can see that the meaning that the sender gives to the message is not the same as that of the words per se or even the opposite. Some of them can be considered sarcastic.
1. What a nice day it is! I want to 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 phrase by Groucho Marx is that it is avoiding watching television that makes its author consider its educational presence, and not television itself as he seems to say in the first sentence.
3. Don’t suffer so much, please
Generally as a reproach, someone is often told that they are completely calm and even happy in a tense situation.
4. Marriage is the main cause of divorce
In this sentence we could be talking about the causes of divorces, but ironically the requirement to be able to divorce (which is to be married) is used 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 matters are not valued positively.
The ironic use occurs when it is used in situations in which they communicate to us something that we know about and is evident.
7. I like you when you are silent because you are as if absent
Although it is part of a poem by Pablo Neruda, this phrase is sometimes used ironically to tell someone to shut up because it is annoying.
8. It was so good that I left it so someone else can enjoy it/ It’s so disgusting that I’m going to finish it lest someone get poisoned
A way of saying that a meal was not exactly to our taste/we love it.
9. You must be very tired after so much work…
Ironic if used with someone who has spent the day sleeping or doing nothing.
10. What good luck I have!
This phrase is ironic when it is used when something bad or unwanted happens.
11. Hilarious. I’m crying with laughter. Seriously, I’m freaking out.
When someone says something out of place, they make a joke that annoys us or leaves us cold.
12. Please keep talking. Yawning is my way of showing him how interested I am in what he has to tell me.
A way to make clear the absence of interest in what they are telling us or trying to sell. This phrase is clearly sarcastic.
13. We didn’t expect you so soon
It is used as irony when someone is late.
14. Am I angry? How do you come up with that nonsense?
When someone has done something that provokes our anger and our reaction was not expected, they usually ask us about it. This type of ironic response usually makes our anger clear to him.
15. Don’t talk so much or my head will explode
An irony that is used is that you are in a group and no one tries or dares to start or have a conversation.
16. I have never seen something so wonderful
Used ironically it would refer to something that we did not like at all and in fact we found horrible.
17. Wow little angel!
It is used to refer to someone who is not precisely characterized by his kindness and good behavior towards others but by quite the opposite.
18. Nice way to answer
Irony used as a reproach in the face of an angry or out of place response.
19. Experience is a wonderful thing. Allows you to recognize a mistake when you make it again
The irony of this phrase is that the person who commits it has just repeated a mistake previously made, which in principle should have allowed him to avoid it.
20. If you don’t read the newspaper you are not informed. If you read it, you are uninformed
This phrase by Mark Twain reflects the lack of objectivity of the press and indicates that ironically, instead of being informed, those who read it are uninformed as this information is biased and/or manipulated.
21. If you don’t have enemies it means you haven’t done something right
When we do things well and achieve our goals, it is common 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 he had to change his mind implies that he was previously wrong, so we are faced with an ironic attempt to show that both before and later he considered himself to be right.
23. Don’t get so excited
Phrase that is 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 expects.
24. I am so smart that sometimes I don’t understand a word I say
A phrase from 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 while being absorbed in his thoughts.
26. No, I wasn’t sleeping. I practice for when she dies.
A somewhat brutal way of showing that, indeed, we were asleep and they have woken us up.
27. Thank you very much!
When someone does not do something that was agreed upon in advance, does not provide help when necessary or even does something that harms us, a thank you is ironic.
28. I have never heard anything so accurate
It is used ironically when someone says something absurd.
29. It’s clear that I let myself win!
Irony can also be used with oneself, making it evident in this case that one has precisely lost oneself.
30. How could I not give you permission for that?
This phrase is ironic when it is used to show that what you are asking for will not be granted.
31. I give you this one-way ticket so you don’t come back
With this phrase we are making it clear in a friendly way that we never want to see that person again.
32. A man can be happy with any woman as long as he does not love her
Another of the great ironic phrases that the great Oscar Wilde left us.
33. It’s so hot today!
Ironic phrase that we can use on very cold winter days.
34. How funny you are!
What we really mean is that we don’t like that person one bit.
35. Don’t all start talking at the same time, please
Another irony that we can use when in a group no one has the initiative to start talking.
36. But leave me some food too!
When diners at a table eat very little.
37. When I’m interested, you call me
An ironic way of making it clear to someone that what they are telling us does not generate any interest in us.
38. We should never get married if we intend to stay in love
A recurring irony about long marriages and their supposed lack of love.
39. Excuse me if I call you gentlemen, but I don’t know you very well.
A phrase belonging to the great American comedian Groucho Marx.
40. Women have been made to be loved, not to be understood
A phrase that today can be truly controversial, attributed to Oscar Wilde.
41. Your presence is being charming
We are subtly signaling to the other person that we want them to leave.
42. I had a great time, I will have to repeat it
Some evenings are truly disastrous, in those cases we can use fine irony to indicate that we will never repeat something like this.
43. My son, happiness is made of small things: a small yacht, a small mansion, a small fortune…
A truly hilarious phrase that we can dedicate to any family member. Spoken by Groucho Marx.
44. I didn’t sleep, I rested my eyes
An irony that we can use to confirm that we were really sleeping.
45. I applaud because it’s over, not because I liked it
A very acidic criticism of any film, performance or work that we have witnessed.
46. ​​I’m going to make origami with your role as a victim
An ironic phrase that we can dedicate to those people who always play the victim at all times.
47. What matters is that they speak well of you, even if it is well
An irony about the importance of fame, even if it is bad.
48. You were eternal for a few weeks
At first some romances seem like they will last decades but the harsh reality is that many times this is not the case.
49. I never forget a face, but I will make an exception with you
With this phrase from Groucho Marx we want to say in an ironic way that that person is ugly.
50. You look as handsome as always
A phrase that we can say with some malice to a friend who is not very physically attractive.
51. I once tried to be normal, the worst 5 seconds of my life
Some people are happy with their quirks, for them it is this ironic phrase.
52. Your message was successfully read and ignored
A somewhat crude way to confirm that we are ignoring someone on a social network.
53. I am a man of simple tastes, only the best satisfies me
Without a doubt, one of the best ironic phrases for those people who have expensive tastes.
54. There is nothing like the tranquility of home
In family situations where there is a lot of fuss or permanent arguments we can use this irony.
55. These are my principles, if you don’t like them I have others
One of Groucho Marx’s most remembered ironic phrases.
56. I find you very calm
An appreciation that we can use with someone who is clearly upset or nervous.
57. It has been a pleasure seeing you
A rather hurtful irony for someone whose presence makes us uncomfortable or uneasy.
58. There is nothing like the love of a married woman. It’s something no husband has the slightest idea about.
Oscar Wilde gave us truly hilarious ironies about the social life of his time.
59. He had no enemies but was intensely detested by his friends
Some friendships are better not to have.
60. From the moment I picked up your book I fell to the ground rolling with laughter. Someday I hope to read it.
A somewhat acidic literary criticism that its author probably won’t like.
