transcription, транскрипция: [ hek ]
1.
People sometimes say ‘ heck! ’ when they are slightly irritated or surprised. ( INFORMAL )
Heck, if you don’t like it, don’t vote for him...
EXCLAM [ feelings ]
2.
People use a heck of to emphasize how big something is or how much of it there is. ( INFORMAL )
They’re spending a heck of a lot of money...
The truth is, I’m in one heck of a mess.
PHRASE : PHR n [ emphasis ]
3.
You use the heck in expressions such as ‘ what the heck ’ and ‘ how the heck ’ in order to emphasize a question, especially when you are puzzled or annoyed. ( INFORMAL )
What the heck’s that?...
The question was, where the heck was he?
PHRASE : quest PHR [ emphasis ]
4.
You say ‘ what the heck ’ to indicate that you do not care about a bad aspect of an action or situation. ( INFORMAL )
What the heck, I thought, I’ll give it a whirl.
PHRASE : PHR with cl [ feelings ]