What is described as an overstatement for effect?

Hyperbole is a figure of speech that involves deliberate and extravagant exaggeration to emphasize a point or create a dramatic effect. It is not meant to be taken literally; instead, it serves to enhance the emotional impact of a statement or to convey intensity regarding a particular situation. For example, saying "I'm so hungry I could eat a horse" uses hyperbole to illustrate a strong feeling of hunger without implying a literal desire to consume an entire animal.

The other options do not fulfill the criteria of an exaggerated statement for effect. Understatement involves downplaying something, making it seem less important than it is. A metaphor is a direct comparison between two unlike things without using "like" or "as," often implying one thing is another to illustrate a point more vividly. A simile, similarly to a metaphor, makes a comparison but does so explicitly using "like" or "as." None of these figures of speech capture the essence of hyperbole, which thrives on amplification and exaggeration.