30 ironic phrases to give a twist to life

The art of communication allows us to use irony to express complex realities.

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 denies what is expressed orally or the context in which it is applied are aspects to take into account when interpreting a message, whose meaning may vary according to the intentionality of the sender.

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

Related articles:

• "70 sarcastic phrases from the best thinkers, humorists and philosophers"
• "123 wise phrases to reflect on life".

Irony

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. In many occasions the ironic sense is evidenced by 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, acid and/or cynical tone..

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

Some thirty ironic phrases

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

1. What a nice day it is! It's nice to take a walk under this summer sun.

Irony when it is stormy, hailing or extremely 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 Groucho Marx phrase is that it is the avoidance of watching television that makes its author consider its presence educational, and not television itself as he seems to say in the first sentence.

3. Don't suffer so much, please

Generally by way of reproach, it is usually said to someone who is totally calm and even cheerful in a tense situation.

4. Marriage is the main cause of divorce

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

5. I'll stick your opinions in my bank account, to see if they generate any interest for me 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 won't even notice.

The ironic use is when it is used in situations in which something is communicated to us that we know about and is obvious.

7. I like you when you are silent because you are as if you were 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 that someone else can enjoy it/ It's so disgusting that I'm going to finish it so someone else doesn't get food poisoning.

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

9. You must be so tired after all that work....

Ironic when used with 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 with laughter. Seriously, I'm laughing my head off.

When someone says something out of place, makes a joke that annoys us or leaves us cold.

12. Please keep talking. Yawning is my way of showing you how much I'm interested in what you have to say.

A way of making clear the absence of interest in what you are telling us or trying to sell. This phrase is clearly sarcastic.

13. We weren't expecting you so soon

This is used as irony when someone is late.

14. Angry me? How could you come up with such nonsense?

When someone has done something that provokes our anger and they were not expecting our reaction, they usually ask us about it. This type of ironic response usually makes our anger clear to them.

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

An irony used when you are in a group and no one tries or dares to start or hold a conversation.

16. I have never seen anything so wonderful

Used with irony it would refer to something that we have not liked at all and in fact we have found it horrifying.

17. What an angel!

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

18. Bonita forma de contestar

Irony used as a reproach to an angry or out of place answer.

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

The irony of this sentence lies in the fact 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 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 have no enemies, you have not done something right.

When we do things well and achieve our objectives, 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 you have had to change your mind implies that you were wrong before, which is an ironic attempt to show that you were right both before and after.

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 the reaction that the other person expects.

24. I am so intelligent that sometimes I don't understand a word I say.

A quote from Oscar Wilde.

25. A good listener often thinks about something else.

This Hubbard quote refers to the fact that often the one who seems to be listening with full attention is ironically the one who is paying the least attention because he is absorbed in his thoughts.

26. No, I was not sleeping. I practice for when I die.

A somewhat brutal way of showing that, indeed, we were asleep and they woke us up.

27. Thank you very much!

When someone doesn't do something that was agreed upon beforehand, doesn't help when needed, or even does something to our detriment, a thank you is ironic.

28. I've never heard anything so accurate

It is used ironically when someone says something absurd.

29. It's clear that I've let myself be beaten!

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

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

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