# hell on earth

idiom

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

## Meaning

A very unpleasant situation; torment, particularly when widespread.

## Examples

- Working in that noisy office felt like hell on earth.
- The long flight was delayed for ten hours in a crowded terminal, which felt like absolute hell on earth.
- Trapped in the trenches during the relentless winter storm, the soldiers described the experience as nothing short of hell on earth.

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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.