What is the source of the allusion in the sentence below?
The swordsman achieved a Pyrrhic victory.
Greek history a fairy tale
An allusion is a brief mention of something or someone well known, often from mythology, history, or literature. An allusion lets you reference ideas from an entire story in just a few words.
"I'd better get home before I turn into a pumpkin!" Lila remarked.
Here, Lila alludes to the fairy tale "Cinderella," in which Cinderella must leave the ball before the coach that brought her transforms into a pumpkin. The allusion shows that Lila must depart immediately.
The source of the allusion Pyrrhic victory is Greek history.
Pyrrhus was an ancient Greek king who won a battle but suffered very heavy losses.
The allusion Pyrrhic victory means a success that comes at a huge cost.