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
Herrmann called composing his 1941 Symphony a "Roman holiday."
From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 26, 2016
As it still lacked an hour of midnight the general sanitarium declared a Roman holiday.
From Hints to Pilgrims by Brooks, Charles Stephen
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.
