out-Herod

American  

[out-her-uhd] / ˌaʊtˈhɛr əd /

verb (used with object)

1. to outdo in extravagance, violence, or excess.

   His cruelty out-Herods Herod.

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out-Herod British  

verb

1. (tr) to surpass in evil, excesses, or cruelty

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Etymology

Origin of out-Herod

1595–1605; out- + Herod (Antipas)

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

out-Herod

Con O'Neill as the roaring, bisexual tetrarch is not afraid to out-Herod Herod.

From The Guardian ● Jun. 24, 2010

"Have you considered, Master Godwyn, that the Virginians do not want a republic, that they are more royalist and prelatical than are their brethren at home; that they out-Herod Herod in their fantastic loyalty?"

From Prisoners of Hope A Tale of Colonial Virginia by Mary Johnston

V. be superior &c. adj.; exceed, excel, transcend; outdo, outbalance†, outweigh, outrank, outrival, out-Herod; pass, surpass, get ahead of; over-top, override, overpass, overbalance, overweigh, overmatch; top, o'ertop, cap, beat, cut out; beat hollow; outstrip &c.

From Roget's Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases by Peter Mark Roget

The shyest of men can sometimes out-Herod Herod if not obliged to face their listeners in person.

From Ted and the Telephone by William F. (William Frederick) Stecher

If inclined to be wild they are apt to out-Herod Herod.

From Marmaduke Merry A Tale of Naval Adventures in Bygone Days by William Henry Giles Kingston