Augean
Americanadjective
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resembling the Augean stables in filthiness or degradation.
-
difficult and unpleasant.
an Augean chore.
adjective
Etymology
Origin of Augean
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin Augē(us) of Augeas ( Greek Augeí(ās) + -us adjective suffix) + -an
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.
A moment in Greek mythology comes to mind: Hercules and the Augean Stables.
From Salon • Oct. 15, 2023
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer said Johnson should apologize to the nation and “clean out the filthy Augean stable he has created.”
From Seattle Times • Nov. 8, 2021
He likened the Internet to the Augean stables in Greek mythology, which needed Hercules to divert two rivers to wash away decades of manure.
From Reuters • Sep. 6, 2021
Instead, it is going to take an effort akin to Hercules cleaning out the Augean stables to repair, rebuild and strengthen America.
From The Guardian • Jan. 8, 2019
“Stupid columns. Some people claim I created the whole Strait of Gibraltar by shoving mountains apart. Some people say the mountains are the pillars. What a bunch of Augean manure. The pillars are pillars.”
From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan
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.
