the hell out of
Used as an intensifier.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“That loud music scares the hell out of me.”
“I was driving home late at night when a deer jumped in front of my car and scared the hell out of me.”
“The sudden collapse of the market terrified the hell out of investors, who scrambled to sell their shares before the situation worsened further.”
- 01
all hell breaks loose
The situation becomes chaotic or characterized by conflict or rage.
- 02
all over hell's half acre
All over the place; everywhere.
- 03
catch hell
To be severely reprimanded, punished, or beaten.
- 04
cold day in Hell
The time of occurrence of an event that will never happen.
- 05
come hell or high water
Regardless of the hardships; no matter what difficulties may arise.
- 06
forty minutes of hell
The NCAA strategy of playing a suffocating full-court press and aggressive offense for the entirety of a game.
- 07
fucking hell
An exclamation of great surprise.
- 08
give someone hell
To castigate someone; to dress them down.
Last updated August 10, 2026