A poorly behaved child. I regret offering to babysit—her child is such a little horror!

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.

To submit or give up. I'm ready to throw up my hands after trying to train this unruly puppy. Don't just throw up your hands—keep trying.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With great displeasure, fear, and/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.