# come hell or high water

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/come-hell-or-high-water
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

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

## Examples

- 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.
- 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.
- 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.

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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.