Four horsemen of the apocalypse Meaning in English
expression
Definition
In the Bible, the four riders who bring destruction at the end of the world: Conquest, War, Famine, and Death. The phrase is also used to describe a group or set of people or things that bring disaster.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or literary; used literally in religious or historical contexts, and metaphorically to describe multiple threats or disastrous forces (often in journalistic or humorous ways). Not used in everyday speech; almost always refers to powerful dangers coming together.
Example Sentences
The four horsemen of the apocalypse appear in the Book of Revelation.
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People sometimes call disasters the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
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War, famine, and disease are examples of the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
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Some jokingly refer to final exams, deadlines, coffee shortages, and lack of sleep as the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
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Whenever big problems hit together, people talk about the four horsemen of the apocalypse arriving.
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Climate change, pandemics, and global conflicts are sometimes called the modern four horsemen of the apocalypse.
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