gruesome twosome

gruesome twosome (plural gruesome twosomes)

1. (humorous, idiomatic) A pair of people who go together, such as two friends, siblings, a married couple, etc., especially if they are mischievous, cause trouble, do not get along well, or have an unpleasant appearance.
   • 1912, Alastair Scobie, Adventurer's Paradise‎:

     But Carr Hartley’s most remarkable possessions are his two white rhinos, Mitzi and Gus. […] The differences between black and white rhinos are marked, and it has often been pointed out that the name ‘white’ does not come from the skin colour. […] However, Carr’s gruesome twosome are strangely light in shade.

   • 1975, Heather L. Ross, Isabel V. Sawhill, Anita R. MacIntosh, Time of Transition: The Growth of Families Headed by Women, page 39:

     Lederer and Jackson use a similar system of labels to discriminate the happiest ("the heavenly twins") from the unhappiest marriages ("the gruesome twosome" ) .

   • 2012, Troy Onder, Town Secrets, page 19:

     All he could think about was the gruesome twosome in the back of the room, and why is he in my dreams.

   • 2012, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], “Pink Furry Slippers”, in Ratburger, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN, pages 279–280:

     Armitage was squeaking like crazy. At that moment there was a gurgling sound and the gruesome twosome passed through the machine. It clunked and groaned like never before, as they passed through the rollers. Finally two very large burgers trundled out. In one, Burt’s shattered wraparound shades poked out. In another, Sheila’s pink furry slippers were clearly visible. They were two distinctly unappetising-looking burgers.

   • 2023, Lars Sivertsen, Haaland:

     Mbappé and Neymar were a gruesome twosome for any defence to come up against.