blanch with (an emotion)
To become visibly pale as a result of feeling a particular emotion. All of my friends ran into the creepy haunted house, but I blanched with fear when I saw it. Stella blanched with disgust at the plate of cooked ants that had been set before her. I ran up to the scene of the accident but blanched with horror when I saw all the blood.
chamber of horrors
A room or similar space in which gruesome, horrifying, or macabre objects are exhibited. What police discovered was a chamber of horrors in which the serial killer had kept his victims. The museum even has a chamber of horrors where all sorts of old torture devices are on display. I don't care if the suspect's apartment wasn't a chamber of horrors, Officer! What if he's the one who kidnapped my daughter?
horror of horrors
A phrase used to humorously indicate something very mundane that has or could cause panic, anger, controversy, or any such adverse reaction. In writing, the phrase is usually set apart by parentheses or dashes just before the thing it indicates. People are so obsessed with their phones these days that they panic if theirs is running low on battery or—horror of horrors—they left it at home. Oh, Eric left rather than—horror of horrors—be seen in public with his mother. A: "Mom, are you serious? I can't wear the same prom dress again this year!" B: "Oh, horror of horrors, of course not!"
horror show
1. Literally, a (potentially frightening) film or television show with supernatural or macabre elements. I can't watch these horror shows before bed, they give me nightmares. Come on, Halloween is right around the corner—we have to watch at least one horror show! Wait, is Maddy seriously sleeping with Mom and Dad after watching that horror show?
2. Something disastrous, disorganized, or otherwise unpleasant, often said with a note of dismay or disdain. Oh boy, that performance was a real horror show. How many people were actually singing the same thing at the same time? I can't have anyone come over right now—I just got back from a business trip, and my house is a horror show! A: "If it's any consolation, the play was a horror show well before the curtain fell down." B: "Gee, thanks."
horrors
slang Another name for delirium tremens (a state of physical distress due to alcohol withdrawal, especially after chronic or heavy use). If Pop just stops drinking without being monitored by doctors, he might develop the horrors. I decided to quit drinking cold turkey, but I thought the horror were going to drive me insane. You're going to have to deal with the horrors if you ever hope to beat your alcoholism.
in horror
With great displeasure, fear, or surprise. Mom reacted in horror when she saw that I'd dyed my hair hot pink the night before school picture day. My bridesmaids looked at me in horror when they saw the dresses I'd picked out for them—as a joke. We watched in horror as the paramedics rushed the unconscious patient down the hallway toward the ER.
little horror
A poorly behaved child. I regret offering to babysit—her child is such a little horror!
shock horror
Ironically used to indicate that something is not surprising or horrific in the slighted. The CEO's comments about women being better suited to raising children has led to—shock horror—a huge and scathing backlash against him across the internet. Shock horror, my kids weren't too keen to try my new kale and broccoli casserole.
throw (one's) arms up in despair
1. To make a gesture physically indicating one's despair and disbelief (about something.) We threw our arms up in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. The computer crashed for the third time that day, and I threw my arms up in despair.
2. To express or indicate that one gives up or submits to futility or failure. (Not necessarily done by literally putting one's arms in the air.) The student threw his arms up in despair, claiming that the math problems were impossible to solve. Don't just throw your arms up in despair—keep trying.
throw (one's) arms up in horror
To make a gesture physically indicating one's shock, horror, and disbelief (about something). We threw our arms up in horror after the CEO told us that our funding had been cut again. She threw her arms up in horror when she realized the file she'd been working on hadn't saved properly.
throw (one's) hands up in despair
1. To make a gesture physically indicating one's despair and disbelief (about something.) We threw our hands up in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. The computer crashed for the third time that day, and I threw my hands up in despair.
2. To express or indicate that one gives up or submits to futility or failure. (Not necessarily done by literally putting one's hands in the air.) The student threw his hands up in despair, claiming that the math problems were impossible to solve. Don't just throw your hands up in despair—keep trying.
throw (one's) hands up in horror
To make a gesture physically indicating one's shock, horror, and disbelief (about something). We threw our hands up in horror after the CEO told us that our funding had been cut again. She threw her hands up in horror when she realized the file she'd been working on hadn't saved properly.
throw up (one's) hands
To express or indicate exasperated despair or hopelessness; to submit or give up, especially in a dejected or frustrated manner. I'm ready to throw up my hands after trying to train this unruly puppy. Don't just throw up your hands if you don't get it right—you have to keep trying!
throw up (one's) hands in despair
To indicate one's unwilling and despairing submission to or acceptance of something. We threw up our hands in despair after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. All you can do is throw your arms up in despair at the way the government is being run these days.
throw up (one's) hands in horror
To indicate one's unwilling and horrified submission to or acceptance of something. We threw up our hands in horror after they told us that our appointment had been rescheduled again for a third time. All you can do is throw your arms up in horror at the way the government is being run these days.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.