English Reference
Idiom idiom

come hell or high water

Meaning

Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Examples
SIMPLE

“I will finish this project, come hell or high water.”

“We are going on vacation this summer, come hell or high water.”

“I get to the office by eight, come hell or high water.”

CONTEXTUAL

“She promised to attend her best friend's wedding, come hell or high water, despite the massive snowstorm.”

“The small business owner vowed to pay his employees their full wages on time, come hell or high water, even during the economic downturn.”

“He plans to complete the marathon in under four hours, come hell or high water, after training intensely for the past six months.”

COMPLEX

“The determined explorer vowed to reach the mountain summit, come hell or high water, regardless of the treacherous weather conditions ahead.”

Origin

The idiom appears as a reference to the twin hazards of eternal damnation and the physical threat of stormy seas or floods. It combines the spiritual extremity of hell with the material danger of rising water, though no specific historical event or person is credited with its coinage.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    all hell breaks loose

    The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.

  2. 02

    all over hell's half acre

    All over the place; everywhere.

  3. 03

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  4. 04

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  5. 05

    blood in the water

    In a competitive situation, the exhibition of apparent weakness or vulnerability by one party, especially when this leads to a feeling of vulnerability or greater pressure to perform on the part of the weak party, or enhanced expectation of victory by the others.

  6. 06

    blood is thicker than water

    Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.

  7. 07

    blow out of the water

    To trounce; to defeat thoroughly, as at a game or in battle.

  8. 08

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

Last updated August 10, 2026