Roman holiday
Americannoun
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a public spectacle or controversy marked by barbarism, vindictiveness, or scandal.
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pleasure or advantage gained from the discomfort or suffering of others.
noun
Etymology
Origin of Roman holiday
First recorded in 1885–90
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In the past, Italy away was something of a Roman holiday for England in the Six Nations.
From BBC • Mar. 6, 2026
The proportion of crisp-soft rice to stretchy cheese is ideal, and, like the puntarelle, a Roman holiday.
From Washington Post • Feb. 3, 2023
Kim Kardashian is making a number of sartorial statements during her Roman holiday.
From Fox News • Jul. 1, 2021
“It’s hot and it’s less productive to work in this time of year,” said William Broussen, a 24-year-old Parisian contractor who is suffering through a heat wave called Lucifer on his Roman holiday.
From New York Times • Aug. 9, 2017
"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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
