— hell-like , adj.
/hel/ , n.
1. the place or state of punishment of the wicked after death; the abode of evil and condemned spirits; Gehenna or Tartarus.
2. any place or state of torment or misery: They made their father's life a hell on earth.
3. something that causes torment or misery: Having that cut stitched without anesthesia was hell.
4. the powers of evil.
5. the abode of the dead; Sheol or Hades.
6. extreme disorder or confusion; chaos: The children let both dogs into the house, and all hell broke loose.
7. heck 1 (def. 2).
8. a receptacle into which a tailor throws scraps.
9. Also called hellbox . Print. a box into which a printer throws discarded type.
10. the utterance of "hell" in swearing or for emphasis.
11. be hell on , Slang.
a. to be unpleasant to or painful for.
b. to be harmful to: These country roads are hell on tires.
12. for the hell of it , Informal.
a. to see what will happen; for adventure, fun, excitement, etc.: For the hell of it, let's just get on the next bus and see where it takes us.
b. with no particular purpose; for no special reason: I called him up for the hell of it, and he offered me a job.
13. get or catch hell , Slang. to suffer a scolding; receive a harsh reprimand: We'll get hell from our parents for staying out so late again.
14. give someone hell , Informal. to reprimand or reproach severely.
15. go to hell in a handbasket . Informal. See handbasket (def. 2).
16. hell on wheels , Slang. extremely demanding, fast-paced, aggressive, effective, or the like: The new job is hell on wheels. Our sales staff is hell on wheels when it comes to getting the most out of every account.
17. like hell , Informal.
a. with great speed, effort, intensity, etc.: We ran like hell to get home before the storm. She tried like hell to get him to change his mind.
b. (used sarcastically or ironically to express the opposite of what is being stated): He says the motor will never break down? Like hell it won't!
18. play hell with , Slang. to deal recklessly with; bring injury or harm to: Snowstorms played hell with the flow of city traffic.
19. raise hell , Slang.
a. to indulge in wild celebration.
b. to create an uproar; object violently to: She'll raise hell when she sees what your rabbit has done to her garden.
20. the hell , Informal.
a. (used as an intensifier to express surprise, anger, impatience, etc.): Why the hell can't the trains run on time?
b. (used sarcastically or ironically to express the opposite of what is being stated): Are you listening to me? The hell you are!
21. the or to hell with , Informal. (used to express dismissal, rejection, contempt, disappointment, or the like): If we have to walk five miles to see the view, the hell with it! He wouldn't even speak to me, so to hell with him!
22. what the hell , Informal. (used to express lack of concern or worry, indifference, abandonment, surrender, etc.): As long as you're borrowing $100, what the hell, borrow $200.
interj.
23. (used to express surprise, irritation, disgust, etc.)
v.
24. hell around , Slang. to live or act in a wild or dissolute manner: All they cared about was drinking and helling around.
[ bef. 900; ME, OE hel ( l ); c. OHG hell ( i ) a (G Hölle ), ON hel, Goth halja; akin to OE helan to cover, hide, and to HULL 2 ]
Syn. 1. inferno. 2. anguish, agony, torture.
Ant. 1, 2. heaven, paradise.