The phrase “no matter how far” is an example of hyperbole. Hyperbole is a type of figurative language in which the speaker intentionally exaggerates in order to emphasize something or to make a point. When we talk about being “hungry enough to eat a horse” or “so sad that my heart could break” we are not saying things that are literally true. No one could possibly be hungry enough to eat an entire horse and...
The phrase “no matter how far” is an example of hyperbole. Hyperbole is a type of figurative language in which the speaker intentionally exaggerates in order to emphasize something or to make a point. When we talk about being “hungry enough to eat a horse” or “so sad that my heart could break” we are not saying things that are literally true. No one could possibly be hungry enough to eat an entire horse and it is not possible for a heart to break from sadness, but by saying these things, we try to convey the depth or intensity of what we are feeling.
“No matter how far” can function in this way as well. We might say, “I will always follow you, no matter how far I have to go.” We might say “No matter how far away it will be, I will go see that concert.” In both cases, we do not literally mean this. If the person we are following becomes an astronaut and goes to the moon, we are not likely to follow. If the concert is on Pitcairn Island, we are not likely to go all that way to see it. That means that we are speaking figuratively when we say “no matter how far.” We are exaggerating for the sake of making a point. Therefore, this is an example of hyperbole.
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