2damn verb
damns; damned; damn·ing [+ obj] 1 informal + impolite a — used to show that you are angry or annoyed at a person, thing, or situation ▪ Damn them! They've ruined everything! ▪ Damn this rain. We haven't had a nice day in weeks. ▪ Damn it! I forgot my keys! ▪ Damn it all!
b — used to say in a forceful way that you do not care about something ▪ I'm going to do it, damn the consequences. = I'm going to do it, the consequences be damned. [=I'm going to do it despite the possible consequences] 2 : to send (someone) to hell as punishment after death — usually used as (be) damned ▪ He said that they would be damned (to hell) for all eternity. [=that God would force them to be in hell forever] — sometimes used figuratively ▪ She was damned [=(more commonly) doomed] by her own lack of foresight. 3 : to say or think bad things about (someone or something) : to strongly criticize (someone or something)
▪ He damned them for their stupidity.
b — used to say in a forceful way that you do not care about something ▪ I'm going to do it, damn the consequences. = I'm going to do it, the consequences be damned. [=I'm going to do it despite the possible consequences]
▪ He damned them for their stupidity.
as near as damn it — see 1near
damn with faint praise
: to give praise without enthusiasm in a way that shows you really dislike someone or something
I'll be damned
informal + impolite 1 — used to show that you are very surprised about something ▪ Well I'll be damned! Our team actually won! — often + if ▪ I spent an hour putting the machine together and I'll be damned if it didn't fall apart as soon as I tried to use it. [=I was very surprised that it fell apart] — sometimes shortened to damned if ▪ I told them they wouldn't enjoy the trip but damned if they didn't come anyway. 2 — used to say that you cannot or will not do something — + if ▪ I'll be damned if I can remember where I left my keys. [=I cannot remember where I left my keys] ▪ I'll be damned if I'm going to eat any more of that disgusting food. [=I will not eat any more of it]
the damned
: the people who have been sent to hell as punishment after their death
▪ the souls of the damned
▪ the souls of the damned
(you're) damned if you do and damned if you don't
informal — used to say that you will be blamed or considered wrong no matter what you do
— damning adjective [more damning; most damning]
▪ A damning piece of evidence showed that he had been at the crime scene.
▪ A damning piece of evidence showed that he had been at the crime scene.
