# catch hell

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/catch-hell
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.

## Examples

- If you break that vase, you will catch hell from your mother.
- He knew he would catch hell for missing the deadline, so he stayed late to finish the report.
- The junior officer realized he would catch hell from his superiors once they discovered the unauthorized changes he made to the mission plan.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.