hell 
/ˈhɛl/ noun
/ˈhɛl/ noun 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!”
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.
▪ 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.
▪ 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!
▪ 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.
▪ 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.
▪ She's a hell of a player. [=she's a very good player]
▪ 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?
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!”
▪ My back hurts like hell.
▪ We've been working like hell since morning. ▪ When I say “go,” run like hell.
▪ This place looks like hell.
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.
▪ 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
▪ People are raising hell about the new law.
▪ 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)
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.
▪ 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.
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]
