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.

---

out-Herod British  

verb

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

---

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

Our playwright has not fallen into the error of making Nero "out-Herod Herod"; through the crazy raptures we see the ruins of a nobler nature.

From A Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 1 by Bullen, A. H. (Arthur Henry)

He was prepared to out-Herod the metropolitan press; he took solemn precautions against priggishness, he exquisitely outraged taste.

From Embarrassments by James, Henry

As for manner, he does sometimes, in imitating his models, out-Herod Herod. 

From Literary and General Lectures and Essays by Kingsley, Charles

I always say the Regency-men inaugurated it, and their sons and grandsons out-Herod Herod.

From Cecil Castlemaine's Gage, Lady Marabout's Troubles, and Other Stories by Ouida