Understatement
Else clues• The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine...
• Expressive understatement
• (genetics) cell division that produces reproductive cells in sexually reproducing organisms
• The nucleus divides into four nuclei each containing half the chromosome number (leading to gametes in animals and spores in plants)
• Understatement for rhetorical effect (especially when expressing an affirmative by negating its contrary)