horror of horrors

plural horrors of horrors

1. derogatoryfigurativelySomething that is among the most horrifying things imaginable.

   To foreign eyes it is a sight, once seen, never to be forgotten — a horror of horrors.

   1900, Harold Irwin Cleveland, Massacres of Christians by Heathen Chinese and Horrors of the Boxers, page 410

   3 more examples

   Volumes would barely suffice to recount the varied horrors of horrors of this disastrous insurrection, where the worst passions of human nature were brought to the aid of the infernal work of destruction.

   1858, Archibald Alison, History of Europe, page 580

   "He posed as the horror of horrors — a misunderstood man. Heaven knows the femme incomprise is sad enough and bad enough — but the other thing!"

   1889, Rudyard Kipling, “A Second-rate Woman”, in Under the Deodars, Boston: The Greenock Press, published 1899, page 101

   In a nutshell, the horror of horrors is that we become less able and available for good relationships, works, wonder, and worship than what we could be.

   2022, Joshua Cockayne, Scott Harrower, Preston Hill, Dawn of Sunday: The Trinity and Trauma-Safe Churches

1. humorousUsed to indicate that something is very horrifying.

   Horror of horrors! within a stair or two beneath the spot where I stood the unearthly tread smote the floor.

   1851, Sheridan Le Fanu, An Account of Some Strange Disturbances In Aungier Street

   3 more examples

   I wrestled with the wheel, snaked her out of the skid after spinning round and then - horror of horrors - a rear wheel struck a soft verge, the car overturned and there was I, semi-conscious but, as far as I can recall, in no acute pain.

   1957, Stirling Moss, In the Track of Speed, New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, page 82

   And now, horror of horrors, a suggestion is made to do away with the individuality of our Cacti and turn them into cultivated " Zombies " .

   1972, The National Cactus and Succulent Journal, page 82

   Let us suppose, horror of horrors, that the Conservatives win and the new minister is the member for Wild Rose, Alberta.

   2004, House of Commons Debates, Official Report (Hansard), page 2040