Question

read the excerpt from mark twains memoir, life on the mississippi.
i was quaking from head to foot, and i could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far.
what is the most likely meaning of the phrase \i could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far\ in this sentence?
it is hyperbole that means that the authors eyes were wide with fear.
it is a simile that means that the authors hat was falling over his eyes.
it is an oxymoron that means that the author could not see anything.
it is personification that means that the authors eyes were too big for his face.

Explanation:

Hyperbole is an exaggerated statement not meant to be taken literally. Here, "I could have hung my hat on my eyes, they stuck out so far" is an exaggerated way to show extreme fear (as the author was "quaking from head to foot"). A simile uses "like" or "as" (not present here). An oxymoron combines contradictory terms (not the case). Personification gives human traits to non - human things (not applicable here).

Answer:

It is hyperbole that means that the author’s eyes were wide with fear.