Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Euphemism Examples Handout
Euphemism Examples Handout
1. Golden years: old age or retirement years. Example: Some rehabilitation programs
Example: During their golden years, they travelled incorporate adventure therapy for holistic
and enjoyed life to the fullest. healing.
2. Differently abled: disabled or people with 13. Revenue enhancement: tax increase or
disabilities. financial measures to boost government
Example: The organization focuses on creating income.
opportunities for differently abled individuals. Example: The government considered revenue
enhancement strategies to address budget deficits.
3. Enhanced interrogation techniques: torture
methods used in interrogation. 14. In a better place: dead or passed away.
Example: Controversy surrounds the use of enhanced Example: She's no longer with us, but we believe
interrogation techniques in some situations. she's in a better place.
5. Freedom fighter: rebel or insurgent, often 16. Intimate apparel: underwear or lingerie.
used in political contexts. Example: The store specializes in a wide range of
Example: Some see him as a freedom fighter, intimate apparel.
while others view him as a rebel.
17. Budget-friendly: inexpensive or affordable.
6. Economic downturn: economic recession or Example: The restaurant offers delicious meals
economic decline. that are budget-friendly.
Example: The country faced an economic
downturn, affecting businesses and employment. 18. Intellectual property: creations of the mind,
such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
7. On the spectrum: autistic or having autism Example: Companies invest in protecting their
spectrum disorder. intellectual property through legal means.
Example: He is on the spectrum and has unique
strengths and challenges. 19. Time management: efficient use of time or
organizing tasks effectively.
8. Family planning: birth control or family size Example: Time management skills are crucial for
management. productivity in the workplace.
Example: Couples often engage in family planning
to decide when to have children. 20. Human resources: personnel or employees.
Example: The human resources department is
9. Special needs: disabilities or individuals with responsible for recruitment and employee relations.
specific requirements.
21. Going to the bathroom: using the toilet or
Example: The school provides support for
going to the restroom.
students with special needs.
Example: Excuse me, I need to go to the
10. Ecologically friendly: environmentally friendly bathroom.
or green.
22. In a meeting: having a discussion or engaged
Example: The company is committed to producing
in a conversation.
ecologically friendly products.
Example: She's in a meeting right now; can I take
11. Ethnic cleansing: genocide or mass a message?
extermination based on ethnicity.
23. Between jobs: unemployed or looking for work.
Example: The international community
Example: Currently, I'm between jobs, exploring
condemned the ethnic cleansing that took place.
new opportunities.
12. Adventure therapy: therapeutic outdoor
24. Pre-owned vehicle: used car.
activities or outdoor experiential therapy.
Example: He decided to purchase a pre-owned 36. Intellectual disabilities: cognitive
vehicle instead of a brand-new one. impairments or learning disabilities.
25. Restroom break: taking a break to use the Example: The school provides support for
bathroom. students with intellectual disabilities.
Example: I'll be back after a quick restroom break. 37. Quality time: meaningful time spent together.
Example: We cherish quality time as a family,
26. Freshen up: refreshing oneself, often involving creating lasting memories.
personal hygiene.
Example: I need a moment to freshen up before 38. Developmentally delayed: behind in
the meeting. developmental milestones.
Example: Early intervention is crucial for children
27. Taking a rain check: postponing plans or who are developmentally delayed.
declining an invitation with the intention to
accept later. 39. Voluntary simplicity: minimalistic lifestyle or
Example: I'm unable to join today, but can I take a simple living by choice.
rain check for next time? Example: She embraced voluntary simplicity,
finding joy in fewer possessions.
28. Passed on: died or deceased.
Example: We were saddened to hear that he 40. Undocumented immigrants: illegal immigrants
passed on last night. or those without legal documentation.
Example: The debate centres around the rights of
29. Alternative facts: falsehoods or misleading undocumented immigrants.
information.
Example: The term 'alternative facts' gained 41. Experience a setback: encounter a failure or
attention in political discourse. obstacle.
Example: The project experienced a setback due
30. In a committed relationship: dating to unforeseen challenges.
exclusively or in a serious romantic
partnership. 42. Economically disadvantaged: financially poor.
Example: They've been in a committed Example: The organization provides support to
relationship for over a year now. economically disadvantaged communities.
31. Life changes: major life events such as 43. Maintenance required: something needs
marriage, divorce, or career shifts. fixing or repair.
Example: I've been going through some Example: The car's dashboard indicated
significant life changes lately. maintenance required for the engine.
32. Resting one's eyes: taking a brief nap or 44. In a challenging situation: facing difficulties.
closing one's eyes to relax. Example: The company found itself in a
Example: I'm just resting my eyes for a moment; challenging situation amidst the economic
I'll be back in a bit. downturn.
33. In recovery: battling addiction or seeking 45. Previously loved: second-hand or used.
treatment for substance abuse. Example: The store sells previously loved items at
Example: After years of struggle, he's currently in affordable prices.
recovery.
46. Terminal illness: incurable or life-threatening
34. Correctional facility: prison or detention disease.
centre. Example: The patient was diagnosed with a terminal
Example: He spent some time in a correctional illness, and the prognosis was not optimistic.
facility for white-collar crime.
47. At a better place: dead or passed away.
35. Reorganizing: making significant changes or Example: We believe our dear friend is now at a
implementing restructuring. better place, free from pain.
Example: The company is currently reorganizing
48. Intimate ceremony: small or private wedding.
to improve efficiency.
Example: They opted for an intimate ceremony
with close friends and family.
63. Gentleman's club: strip club.
49. Unconventional lifestyle: non-traditional way Example: Some people choose to celebrate events
of living. at a gentleman's club.
Example: The artist embraced an unconventional
lifestyle, challenging societal norms. 64. Comfort women: sex slaves.
Example: The historical records reveal the plight
50. Freedom fighter: rebel or insurgent. of comfort women during wartime.
Example: In the nation's history, he is 65. Vertically challenged: short.
remembered as a freedom fighter who fought for Example: He humorously referred to himself as
independence. vertically challenged.
51. Involuntary celibacy: inability to find a romantic 66. Adult entertainment: pornography.
partner (often associated with an online community). Example: Certain websites offer adult entertainment
Example: Some individuals express frustrations for a mature audience.
about involuntary celibacy in online forums.
67. Differently abled: disabled.
52. Executive decision: authoritative choice made Example: Society should be inclusive and
by a leader. supportive of differently abled individuals.
Example: The CEO made an executive decision to
restructure the company for better efficiency. 68. Domestic engineer: housewife or
homemaker.
53. Let go: fired or dismissed. Example: She proudly embraced her role as a
Example: Due to downsizing, several employees domestic engineer, managing the household.
were let go from the company.
69. Unplanned pregnancy: accidental pregnancy.
54. Senior citizen: elderly person. Example: They faced the challenges of an
Example: The community centre offers programs unplanned pregnancy with resilience.
for senior citizens.
70. Final resting place: grave or cemetery.
55. On the streets: homeless. Example: The cemetery serves as the final resting
Example: After losing his job, he found himself on place for many generations.
the streets for a while.
71. Wardrobe malfunction: clothing failure (often
56. In a family way: pregnant. used to describe accidental exposure).
Example: She's in a family way and expecting a Example: The celebrity experienced a wardrobe
baby in a few months. malfunction during the live broadcast.
58. Under the weather: sick or ill. 73. Greener pastures: better opportunities elsewhere.
Example: I won't be able to make it to work Example: He decided to explore greener pastures
today; I'm feeling a bit under the weather. and moved to a different city for work.