horror of horrors

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.
See also: horror, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ˌhorror of ˈhorrors

(British English, humorous or ironic) used to emphasize how bad a situation is: I stood up to speak and — horror of horrors — realized I had left my notes behind.
See also: horror, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a right one
  • how the mighty are fallen
  • how the mighty have fallen
  • and I don't play one on TV
  • as you do
  • are we having fun yet
  • Are we having fun yet?
  • AWHFY
  • aforethought
  • believe it or not
References in classic literature
Schneider was trying to reach his foe's throat with his fingers while, horror of horrors, Bertha Kircher could see that the other was searching for the German's jugular with his teeth!
Tarzan the Untamed
But, oh horror of horrors! As soon as ever the dealer caught sight of my capital of thirty roubles in notes, he refused to let the Pushkin go for less than the sum he had first named; and though, in answer to my prayers and protestations, he eventually yielded a little, he did so only to the tune of two-and-a-half roubles more than I possessed, while swearing that he was making the concession for my sake alone, since I was "a sweet young lady," and that he would have done so for no one else in the world.
Poor Folk
Granted, people weren't doing their weekly shop, but most people were buying several items and popping them into rucksacks, handbags and (horror of horrors) actually carrying them.
TALK OF THE CITY; with Iain Hoskins, actor & owner of Ma Boyle's Alehouse & Eatery
'But horror of horrors, you now tell the voters of Pulau Berhala that you have never heard of the 1MDB scandal!' Lim said in a statement today.
Kit Siang says '1MDB Speaker' Pandikar still running interference for Najib's scandal
So he's unexpectedly flying solo, delivering both parts of the autocue script and then - horror of horrors - having to present a women's fashion item with a camp fashion expert.
Until next time Alan; PICK OF THE DAY this time with alan partridgeBBC1, 9.30pm
But still, I had a crush on him and horror of horrors, he didn't reciprocate my feelings!
Of long-ago crushes and designer tin cans
It is not just important to pick out the villains of this comic-tragedy but we need every ounce of good sense and wisdom that we extract from our financial horror of horrors. Pakistanis ought to be told the tale in its bitterest and goriest detail.
Anatomy of financial horrors
Suddenly while seeing the majority of the children safe and one lone child being run over, the next moment the train is hurtling down the disused track and getting derailed and horror of horrors, thousands of passengers screaming as they meet a gory end!
A country derailed..!
And it's horror of horrors for grannies Gail and Audrey when they learn Bethany is working at a lapdancing club.
The week in soap; TV GUIDE
And I can understand how she feels as the horror of horrors is mere years ahead of me.
Letting your hair down ..
Now, horror of horrors, we have these "chuggers" on both sides of the High Street.
Town centre to be avoided; Letters
Horror of horrors, but white denims are inching their way in, particularly primed for the summer months.
GUY CORNER DENIM TRENDS FOR 2016
Who's "hooked up" with whom, who's texted something nasty, and - horror of horrors - who has cheated in the continual game of televised love?
TOFFS TERRORISE LOS ANGELES
When I looked at the badge a bit closer, horror of horrors, there is a very thin band of red around the inner edge.
Why so negative about new [...]