Syntax & Word Order
Zeugma
Using one word, often a verb, with two or more terms in different senses: “She arrived in a taxi and a flood of tears.” The shift between literal and figurative meanings can create surprise or humor.
"She arrived in a taxi and a flood of tears."
Don't confuse it with. Syllepsis is often used interchangeably; strictly, syllepsis requires the senses to differ while zeugma is any shared-verb yoking.
Examples
She lost her keys and her temper.
“Lost” governs two objects with different senses: misplacing an object and losing emotional control.
Often used alongside this device
Explore devices that often appear in the same passages as zeugma.
Passive Voice 6 Asyndeton 5 Parataxis 5 Litotes 4 Anaphora 4 Personification 3 Chiasmus 3 Polysyndeton 3
The rest of the family
Hyperbaton Anastrophe Periodic Sentence Cumulative (Loose) Sentence Parataxis Parenthesis Apposition / Appositive Hendiadys Pleonasm Enumeration / Accumulatio Passive Voice Cleft Sentence