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 .
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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.
But she brushed off the barbs, saying: "I am toothy, dumpy, ugly, overweight, a spinster – what the hell."
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
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
“Because, you know, the stack heels are long gone. So what was it going to do? I was going to just do what the hell I wanted to do,” Plant says.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 20, 2025
“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
The words what the hell is he doing here? play over and over in my mind.
From "Pride" by Ibi Zoboi
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.
