hell
2 ENTRIES FOUND:
Britannica Dictionary definition of HELL
1
[singular]
or
Hell
:
the place where the devil lives and where evil people go after they die according to some religions
2
:
a very difficult or unpleasant situation or experience
[noncount]
-
Getting the loan approved was pure/sheer hell.
-
He went through hell during his divorce.
-
She had to go through hell to get where she is today.
[singular]
-
Living with the disease can be a hell on earth.
-
The pain has made her life a living hell.
3
informal + impolite
— used to express anger, annoyance, etc.
-
Hell, I don't know why he did it!
-
But, hell, why not?
-
Oh, hell, I forgot my keys.
-
“Did you give her any money?” “Hell, no!”
all hell breaks loose
informal
— used to describe what happens when violent, destructive, and confused activity suddenly begins
-
I heard people shouting at each other, and suddenly all hell broke loose.
as hell
informal + somewhat impolite
— used to make a statement more forceful
-
It was (as) funny as hell. [=it was very funny]
-
They were mad as hell.
-
We've been working as hard as hell to finish on schedule.
-
“Can you finish on schedule?” “We'll sure as hell try.”
catch hell
chiefly US, informal + somewhat impolite
:
to be yelled at or criticized in a very angry and severe way
-
She caught hell (from her boss) for coming in late.
come hell or high water
informal
— used to say that something will definitely happen or be done even though other events or situations might make it difficult
-
I will be there on time, come hell or high water.
for the hell of it
informal + somewhat impolite
:
for the fun of doing something
:
without having a particular reason
-
Just for the hell of it, I decided to go.
-
He likes to start arguments for the hell of it.
from hell
informal + somewhat impolite
— used to describe someone or something that is very bad or unpleasant
-
It was the vacation from hell: everything that could go wrong, did.
-
bosses from hell
give (someone) hell
informal + somewhat impolite
:
to yell at or criticize (someone) in an angry way
-
Her boss gave her hell for coming in late.
-
Give them hell, John!
go to hell
informal + impolite
1
— used to show that you are very angry with someone
-
I'm not coming, so you can just go to hell!
-
He told his boss to go to hell.
2
:
to become completely ruined
:
to fail completely
-
The economy is going to hell.
go to hell in a handbasket
hell of a
informal + somewhat impolite
1
— used to make a statement more forceful
-
It was one hell of a good fight. [=it was a very good fight]
-
He is one hell of a nice guy.
2
:
very good
-
She's a hell of a player. [=she's a very good player]
3
:
very bad or difficult
-
We've been having a hell of a time trying to finish on schedule.
-
This is a hell of a mess we're in.
hell on
US, informal + somewhat impolite
— used to describe something that causes a lot of damage or trouble
-
Running can be hell on your knees. [=can do a lot of harm to your knees]
-
His constant traveling was hell on their relationship.
hell to pay
in hell
informal + impolite
1
— used to make a statement more forceful
-
There is no way in hell I'm going!
-
We don't have a hope in hell [=we have no hope] of getting out of this mess.
2
US
or
in the hell
— used to make a question more forceful
-
What in hell is wrong now?
-
How in the hell did that happen?
like a bat out of hell
like hell
informal + impolite
1
:
very much
-
My back hurts like hell.
2
:
with a lot of energy and speed
-
We've been working like hell since morning.
-
When I say “go,” run like hell.
3
:
very bad
-
This place looks like hell.
4
— used to say in an angry and forceful way that you will not do something, do not agree, etc.
-
“You're coming with me!” “Like hell I am!”
-
“It's your fault!” “Like hell it is!”
play hell with
or British play merry hell with
:
to cause many problems for (someone or something)
:
to have a very bad effect on (someone or something)
-
High oil prices are playing hell with the nation's economy.
raise hell
informal + somewhat impolite
1
:
to complain in a loud or angry way
-
People are raising hell about the new law.
2
:
to behave wildly and make a lot of noise
—
see also hell-raiser
-
He and his friends used to get drunk and raise hell on the weekends.
the hell
informal + impolite
1
— used to make a statement or question more forceful
-
Let's get the hell out of here.
-
(chiefly US) They moved way the hell up north.
-
How the hell did you do that?
-
Who the hell do you think you are?
-
What the hell is going on?
2
— used to say in an angry and forceful way that you will not do something, do not agree, etc.
—
see also what the hell (below)
-
“You said you'd pay for it.” “The hell I did!” [=I never said that]
-
“It's your fault!” “The hell it is!”
the hell out of
informal + impolite
— used for emphasis after words like scare, frighten, and beat
-
That movie scared the hell out of me. [=scared me very badly]
-
The boxer beat the hell out of his opponent.
to hell and back
informal
◊ Someone who goes to hell and back experiences a very difficult or unpleasant situation often for a long time.
-
She's been to hell and back since her daughter became ill.
to hell with
informal + impolite or the hell with
— used to say in a forceful and angry way that you do not care about someone or something.
-
They want me to stop, but to hell with them! I'll do what I want to do!
what the hell
informal + impolite
1
— used to express anger, surprise, etc.
-
What the hell! Just what do you think you're doing!?
2
— used to say that you are not worried about or bothered by something
-
So I figured, what the hell, let's give it a try.
-
We lost a little money, but what the hell, it's not a big deal.
when hell freezes over
informal + impolite
— used to say that you think that something will never happen
-
I'll apologize when hell freezes over. [=I'll never apologize]
