what the hell
Idioms-
It's not important, who cares, as in It cost a lot more, but what the hell, we can afford it . [Second half of 1800s] Also see what of it .
-
An intensive of what , as in What the hell do you think you're doing? [First half of 1800s] Also see under on earth .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
At an event last month, Trump said “I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do” in regards to the potential offering.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
“Twenty-five years ago, Jay realized there were increasing concerns on Teton Pass, so he said, what the hell, I’m going to go up there and help,” said Kofinas.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
For those who might unfortunately view that video and wonder what the hell he’s talking about, let me elucidate: Johnson is trying to get podcaster Joe Rogan to fight him.
From Salon • Jun. 27, 2025
There were women who were bucking the system and doing what the hell they wanted to do, like blues women traveling the world.
From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2024
“But 1 figured, what the hell, if I showed it to the old man he’d probably drop a nut or lose a good night’s sleep, so why bother?”
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
