* "He was a genius and an athlete, and he hadn't had to take any handicaps at all." This sentence uses metaphor to describe Harrison's natural talents as if they were physical handicaps. This highlights the absurdity of the Handicapper General's system, which seeks to level everyone down instead of recognizing and celebrating individual strengths.
* "George was toying with the handicap transmitter in his ear." This sentence uses personification to give the transmitter human-like qualities, suggesting that it's controlling George's thoughts and abilities. This emphasizes the oppressive nature of the handicaps and how they rob individuals of their agency.
* "And she was the strongest and most beautiful woman in the world." This sentence uses hyperbole to exaggerate Hazel's beauty and strength. This serves to highlight the absurdity of the handicaps, as even the most beautiful and strong individuals are forced to be equalized with everyone else.
* "I feel like I'm going to faint" "Maybe you're just tired, honey." These lines from Hazel and George, while not a conventional idiom, use understatement to highlight the severity of the situation. This emphasizes the normalization of oppression in the story, where even extreme measures like handicaps are treated casually.
Overall, while Harrison Bergeron doesn't use many specific idioms, the story is rich in figurative language that enhances its message and creates a unique style. These literary devices serve to highlight the absurdity of the dystopian society and the consequences of striving for forced equality.