ENGLISH
REFERENCE

the hell out of

idiom
Meaning

Used as an intensifier.


Examples
SIMPLE

That loud music scares the hell out of me.

CONTEXTUAL

I was driving home late at night when a deer jumped in front of my car and scared the hell out of me.

COMPLEX

The sudden collapse of the market terrified the hell out of investors, who scrambled to sell their shares before the situation worsened further.

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

    catch hell

    To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.

  4. 04

    cold day in Hell

    The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.

  5. 05

    come hell or high water

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

  6. 06

    forty minutes of hell

    The NCAA strategy of playing a suffocating full-court press and aggressive offense for the entirety of a game.

  7. 07

    fucking hell

    An exclamation of great surprise.

  8. 08

    give someone hell

    To castigate someone; to dress them down.

Last updated April 17, 2026