An allusion is a figure of speech. It refers to a well-known story, event, person, or object in order to make a comparison in a person's mind. For example, telling someone "You have Herculean strength!" can refer to Hercules, known as one of the strongest men in Greek Mythology. Others common include:
- "Going down a rabbit hole" referencing Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, where Alice goes down a rabbit hole and discovers a magical world unrelated to hers.
- "I'm not falling for that Trojan horse!" Referencing the Greek story in which a "gift" to the town of Trojan was actually a wooden horse made of hundreds of soldiers.
- Allusions can even be about famous people. For example: "You don't have to be Albert Einstein to know this." "He was the Robin Hood of our school." "She is no Mother Teresa; she can get angry easily." and "Our city really does need a Batman".
Allusions can be hurtful, humorous, or easily understandable/relatable. Try for yourself to make an allusion, and people will understand you more easily.
- ↑ "what can allusions do". Bing. Retrieved 2026-04-29.