Which of the following is an example of euphemism?

• A. The athletes suffered injuries during the game
• B. The combatants were victims of friendly fire
• C. He lost the match due to poor performance
• D. She made a mistake in her calculations

Answer: (B)

Euphemism is a figure of speech used to replace an expression that may be considered harsh, blunt, or unpleasant with a milder or more indirect term. In the provided choices, the phrase "the combatants were victims of friendly fire" fits this definition well. Here, "friendly fire" is used to describe instances where military personnel are unintentionally harmed by their own forces rather than by enemy action. This term softens the reality of the situation, thereby making it less confrontational and more palatable for discussion.

The other options present straightforward descriptions without the same level of softening or indirectness. For instance, the mention of athletes suffering injuries is a direct statement about unfortunate circumstances without any euphemistic language. Similarly, saying someone lost due to poor performance or made a mistake in calculations is quite direct and does not provide a gentler interpretation of the events. Thus, "friendly fire" in choice B serves as a textbook example of a euphemism by masking the brutality of the reality it describes.