hell
Pronounced:
/ˈhɛl/
Function:
nounMeaning:
1 or Hell [singular] : 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!”
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.
2 : to become completely ruined : to fail completely ▪ The economy is going to hell.
go to hell in a handbasket —see 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.
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 —see 1pay
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 or in the hell US —used to make a question more forceful ▪ What in hell is wrong now? ▪ How in the hell did that happen?
2 or in the hell US —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 —see 3bat
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!”
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 Brit 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 ▪ He and his friends used to get drunk and raise hell on the weekends. —see also hell-raiser
2 : to behave wildly and make a lot of noise ▪ He and his friends used to get drunk and raise hell on the weekends. —see also hell-raiser
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. ▪ “You said you'd pay for it.” “The hell I did!” [=I never said that] ▪ “It's your fault!” “The hell it is!” —see also what the hell (below)
2 —used to say in an angry and forceful way that you will not do something, do not agree, etc. ▪ “You said you'd pay for it.” “The hell I did!” [=I never said that] ▪ “It's your fault!” “The hell it is!” —see also what the hell (below)
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 or the hell with
informal + impolite —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.
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]