annus horribilis

plural anni horribiles

1. often italicizedA horrible year

   As the year 1934, an annus horribilis of political murder and bankrupt statesmanship, drew toward a close, Europe had the jitters.

   1936, John T. Whitaker, And Fear Came, page 208

   3 more examples

   It is now a full year since the treaty with Spain was ratified, and the ignoble and bloody war in the Philippines began — a true annus horribilis.

   1900 February 22, “Year One of the Empire”, in The Nation, page 105

   "Toyota will undoubtedly be looking forward to the end of this financial year, which promised so much, yet has become an annus horribilis," said Ian Fletcher.

   2008 December 23, Justin McCurry, Mark Milner, “Sales slump puts Toyota on track for first loss in 70 years”, in The Guardian

   This year, to borrow a timely phrase from our late Queen Elizabeth II, has been the annus horribilus for the railways. Just as she thought that 1992 sparked a possibly existential crisis for the monarchy, many in the rail industry are equally worried about the railways' very future.

   2022 December 28, Christian Wolmar, “Annus horribilus must mark a turning point for our railway”, in RAIL, number 973, page 44