---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: By the time we stopped for the night…"
description: "\"“By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as big as an ocean liner.”\" — Adam Rex"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png"
---

#  By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as…

![“By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as big as an ocean liner.” quote by Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png)

> ““By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as big as an ocean liner.””

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A hyperbolic comparison emphasizes Billy Milsap's massive presence, likening him to an ocean liner for comedic effect.

**In simple terms:** Exaggerates size for humor.

Key Takeaway

Use humor to highlight larger-than-life characters.

Themes

humor exaggeration celebration culture music

Mood

playful lighthearted

Type

comic entertaining

When to use this quote

- stand‑up comedy
- writing
- character description
- social media memes

Key Concepts

hyperbole visual metaphor comic effect

Questions to Reflect On

- What makes hyperbole effective?
- When does exaggeration become misleading?

A Different Perspective

Humor may obscure factual accuracy.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Billy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billy/) [Billy Milsap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billy-milsap-6096419/) [Night Billy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/night-billy-6096420/) [Ocean Liner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ocean-liner-1507861/) [Stopped Night](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stopped-night-916232/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/)

## Related quotes

> [The rain, which had continued yesterday and last night, ceased this morning. We then proceeded, and after passing two small islands about ten miles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meriwether-lewis/the-rain-which-had-continued-yesterday-and-last-night-ceased-this/)

[Meriwether Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meriwether-lewis/)

> [The light that stopped the night felt like forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dar-williams/the-light-that-stopped-the-night-felt-like-forgiveness/)

[Dar Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dar-williams/)

> [“Then I went to the windows and pulled them open. The rain had stopped and the night was very still, black except for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-christopher/then-i-went-to-the-windows-and-pulled-them-open-the-rain-had-stopped/)

[John Christopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-christopher/)

> [We stopped for a night at the Cirrhosis Inn, which is just a front for reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexie-sherman-w-slant/we-stopped-for-a-night-at-the-cirrhosis-inn-which-is-just-a-front-for/)

[Alexie Sherman - W/slant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexie-sherman-w-slant/)

> [For pure joy, I look at a small painting by Arbit Blatas. An ocean liner is at the center of the composition, perhaps ready…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antonio-damasio/for-pure-joy-i-look-at-a-small-painting-by-arbit-blatas-an-ocean/)

[Antonio Damasio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antonio-damasio/)

> [“The fact that you can go to the bathroom on an airplane is pretty novel. I bet nobody expected that a hundred years ago.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-pasricha/the-fact-that-you-can-go-to-the-bathroom-on-an-airplane-is-pretty/)

[Neil Pasricha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-pasricha/)

> [“Once the tugboat takes you out to the ocean liner, you got to get all the way on board. Can't straddle both decks.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/once-the-tugboat-takes-you-out-to-the-ocean-liner-you-got-to-get-all/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [it is all ash and dry leaves and grief gone like an ocean liner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bukowski/it-is-all-ash-and-dry-leaves-and-grief-gone-like-an-ocean-liner/)

[Charles Bukowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bukowski/)

> [We had a miniature ocean liner made out of papier-mache, and I'd burst out of it wearing a sailor suit to begin our show.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-mael/we-had-a-miniature-ocean-liner-made-out-of-papier-mache-and-i-d-burst/)

[Russell Mael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-mael/)

> [To be anywhere near an enormous ocean liner when you are just like a fish in the water is frightening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-be-anywhere-near-an-enormous-ocean-liner-when-you-are-just-like-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [As any opera fan knows, lawyers and judges do not fare well in most operas. Just consider the productions of 'Andrea Chenier,' 'Aida, Norma,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-decrow/as-any-opera-fan-knows-lawyers-and-judges-do-not-fare-well-in-most/)

[Karen DeCrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-decrow/)

> [Look at Greg Jbara! I've watched him work for years, always switching. He's literally a different human being when he's onstage in 'Billy Elliot.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-chase/look-at-greg-jbara-i-ve-watched-him-work-for-years-always-switching/)

[Will Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-chase/)

> ['Billy Elliot' embodies the idea that anyone can achieve anything regardless of their socio-economic background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-fellner/billy-elliot-embodies-the-idea-that-anyone-can-achieve-anything/)

[Eric Fellner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-fellner/)

> [ We're really fleshing out the whole world of the show \[Difficult People\]. It's more of an ensemble now, whereas last season we were very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/we-re-really-fleshing-out-the-whole-world-of-the-show-difficult/)

[Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/)

> [“When I first met Billy I thought about sucking his eyes right out of their sockets. They’re like turquoise gum drops.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-treggiari/when-i-first-met-billy-i-thought-about-sucking-his-eyes-right-out-of/)

[Jo Treggiari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-treggiari/)

## More by Adam Rex

> [I've had 'Spanish Flea' stuck in my head since 1998, so in a subjective sense, that is the song that's playing whenever I enter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/i-ve-had-spanish-flea-stuck-in-my-head-since-1998-so-in-a-subjective/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“I am rubber but you are blue. Whatevers you are saying bounces off of me and I do not remember the rest.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/i-am-rubber-but-you-are-blue-whatevers-you-are-saying-bounces-off-of/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [Vampirism is like celebrity now. Vampires are these eternally young, thin, sexy apparitions of perpetual nightlife and absolutely nothing like their folkloric European boogeyman…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/vampirism-is-like-celebrity-now-vampires-are-these-eternally-young/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [Sejal had not thought of her home, or of India as a whole, as cool. She was dimly aware, however, of a white Westerner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/sejal-had-not-thought-of-her-home-or-of-india-as-a-whole-as-cool-she/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [The Boov frowned. 'Everybodies always is wanting to make a clone for to doing their work. If you are not wanting to do your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/the-boov-frowned-everybodies-always-is-wanting-to-make-a-clone-for-to/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“I'm sorry, but -I'm sorry !' I yelped and skipped backward as Gorg advanced on me. 'You were given bad information. Probably some human's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/i-m-sorry-but-i-m-sorry-i-yelped-and-skipped-backward-as-gorg/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [We found the bathrooms, which were labeled 'Aliens' and 'Femaliens.' 'Finally,' I said to J.Lo. 'Here's a bathroom you're allowed to use.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/we-found-the-bathrooms-which-were-labeled-aliens-and-femaliens/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [Wherefor are you knowing it? If you stacked all of the Gorg in the galaxy on top of eachother, the Gorg would kill you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/wherefor-are-you-knowing-it-if-you-stacked-all-of-the-gorg-in-the/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“Scottish Play Doe was born at 4:13 a.m. on September 6th. The ink was barely dry on his father's new tattoo.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/scottish-play-doe-was-born-at-4-13-a-m-on-september-6th-the-ink-was/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [The Freemen have 987 levels of membership, the first three of which are achieved merely by filling out an application. The 8th level is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/the-freemen-have-987-levels-of-membership-the-first-three-of-which/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“You heard my name was Chief Shouting Bear," he said. "It doesn't matter. You can call me whatever you want, Stupidlegs.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/you-heard-my-name-was-chief-shouting-bear-he-said-it-doesn-t-matter/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“Project: Potential was a separate class that the gifted students went to for an hour each day. The name was supposed to make it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/project-potential-was-a-separate-class-that-the-gifted-students-went/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“Archimedes was a mathematician," blurted Ethan from the back of the room. "And he was Greek. And he invented things." Ethan was the sort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/archimedes-was-a-mathematician-blurted-ethan-from-the-back-of-the/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [“Woah,' I said, blocking the doorway. 'You can't come in here. This is the girls' room.' Even as it came out of my mouth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/woah-i-said-blocking-the-doorway-you-can-t-come-in-here-this-is-the/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

> [There was less than I’d expected in the rainy-day fund that Mom had kept in the bottom of an underwear drawer in a panty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/there-was-less-than-i-d-expected-in-the-rainy-day-fund-that-mom-had/)

[Adam Rex](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

[Explore all 78 Adam Rex quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/)

## More Billy quotes

> [“When I first met Billy I thought about sucking his eyes right out of their sockets. They’re like turquoise gum drops.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-treggiari/when-i-first-met-billy-i-thought-about-sucking-his-eyes-right-out-of/)

[Jo Treggiari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-treggiari/)

> [ We're really fleshing out the whole world of the show \[Difficult People\]. It's more of an ensemble now, whereas last season we were very… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-eichner/we-re-really-fleshing-out-the-whole-world-of-the-show-difficult/)

[Billy Eichner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-eichner/)

> ['Billy Elliot' embodies the idea that anyone can achieve anything regardless of their socio-economic background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-fellner/billy-elliot-embodies-the-idea-that-anyone-can-achieve-anything/)

[Eric Fellner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-fellner/)

> [Look at Greg Jbara! I've watched him work for years, always switching. He's literally a different human being when he's onstage in 'Billy Elliot.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-chase/look-at-greg-jbara-i-ve-watched-him-work-for-years-always-switching/)

[Will Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-chase/)

> [As any opera fan knows, lawyers and judges do not fare well in most operas. Just consider the productions of 'Andrea Chenier,' 'Aida, Norma,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-decrow/as-any-opera-fan-knows-lawyers-and-judges-do-not-fare-well-in-most/)

[Karen DeCrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-decrow/)

> [I know that this sounds grand, but I don't try to compete with other people. I like to think there's enough pie for everyone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-merchant/i-know-that-this-sounds-grand-but-i-don-t-try-to-compete-with-other/)

[Stephen Merchant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-merchant/)

> [“That last voice in his head. It hadn't been Billy's. It was his own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-lyga/that-last-voice-in-his-head-it-hadn-t-been-billy-s-it-was-his-own/)

[Barry Lyga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-lyga/)

> [It is said that a hundred gamecocks will live in perfect harmony together it you do not put a hen with them; and so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/augustus-baldwin-longstreet/it-is-said-that-a-hundred-gamecocks-will-live-in-perfect-harmony/)

[Augustus Baldwin Longstreet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/augustus-baldwin-longstreet/)

> [I think you and the referee were in a minority of one, Billy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-armfield/i-think-you-and-the-referee-were-in-a-minority-of-one-billy/)

[Jimmy Armfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-armfield/)

> [“Most Tralfamadorians had no way of knowing Billy's body and face were not beautiful. They supposed that he was a splendid specimen. This had…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/most-tralfamadorians-had-no-way-of-knowing-billy-s-body-and-face-were/)

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/)

> [My great-grandfather was a variety hall comedian called Billy Mack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-mack/my-great-grandfather-was-a-variety-hall-comedian-called-billy-mack/)

[Lee Mack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-mack/)

> [“Billy's at 44 north, 56 west and heading straight into meteorological hell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-junger/billy-s-at-44-north-56-west-and-heading-straight-into-meteorological/)

[Sebastian Junger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-junger/)

> [First off, I love Woody Allen. His early movies, like 'Hannah and Her Sisters,' are incredible. I also love anything by Billy Wilder, Ron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-story/first-off-i-love-woody-allen-his-early-movies-like-hannah-and-her/)

[Tim Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-story/)

> [I can tell you the actor who I admire the most. Billy Crudup. Do you know who he is? He's awesome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-tucker/i-can-tell-you-the-actor-who-i-admire-the-most-billy-crudup-do-you/)

[Jonathan Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-tucker/)

> [When they told me there would be a statue erected at Wrigley Field, I was happy with that. I know there will be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-williams/when-they-told-me-there-would-be-a-statue-erected-at-wrigley-field-i/)

[Billy Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-williams/)

[Browse all 228 Billy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/billy/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as big as an ocean liner.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Adam Rex"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-billy-milsap-was-as-big-as-an/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Billy"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-billy-milsap-was-as-big-as-an/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/db4/adam-rex-8777_billy_by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-bil_3228254.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“By the time we stopped for the night, Billy Milsap was as big as an ocean liner.” — Adam Rex",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Adam Rex",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rex/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“By the time we stopped for...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-billy-milsap-was-as-big-as-an/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rex/by-the-time-we-stopped-for-the-night-billy-milsap-was-as-big-as-an/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
