Roman holiday

American  

noun

1. a public spectacle or controversy marked by barbarism, vindictiveness, or scandal.

2. pleasure or advantage gained from the discomfort or suffering of others.

---

Roman holiday British  

noun

1. entertainment or pleasure that depends on the suffering of others

---

Etymology

Origin of Roman holiday

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

In the past, Italy away was something of a Roman holiday for England in the Six Nations.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026

Kim Kardashian is making a number of sartorial statements during her Roman holiday.

From Fox News • Jul. 1, 2021

That view has not changed — but in empty Rome, still reeling from a year’s cultural deprivation, I felt myself oddly moved by this catastrophic imposture, and the hopelessness of Hirst’s Roman holiday.

From New York Times • Jun. 25, 2021

On my Roman holiday my guide was a dead man of incomparable erudition and wit: the late Australian art critic Robert Hughes.

From Washington Post • Aug. 28, 2019

"Sh!" putting her hand gently and affectionately over my mouth, "don't swear so ... very well, poke the wild beasts again!... but we'll only serve as sport for another Roman holiday for the newspapers."

From Tramping on Life An Autobiographical Narrative by Kemp, Harry