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What a nightmare!

Phrase of the day

Discover a new phrase each day to use in your English! These are special phrases and sayings that English speakers use all the time, but you don't often see these phrases in English course books or other study material. Visit daily to learn some popular English phrases on a regular basis.

23 August 2025

What a nightmare!

We use this expression to describe a terrible situation.

Written: Yes

Spoken: Yes

Formal: No

Informal: Yes

Example 1

Just ten minutes before the interview I dropped ketchup down my shirt!

What a nightmare!

Example 2

I was miles from town, with no petrol, there were no cars, and it was dark.

What a nightmare! What did you do?

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