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
But he had higher thoughts than of submitting to so degrading a destiny as the being "butchered to make a Roman holiday."
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 01, No. 03, January, 1858 by Various
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.
