hell-for-leather

American  

[hel-fer-leth-er] / ˈhɛl fərˈlɛð ər /

adjective

1. characterized by reckless determination or breakneck speed.

   The sheriff led the posse in a hell-for-leather chase.

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adverb

1. in a hell-for-leather manner; hellbent.

   motorcycles roaring hell-for-leather down the turnpike.

Etymology

Origin of hell-for-leather

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

Karajan probably never conducted a bad performance of Beethoven’s “Eroica” Symphony, but did he ever lead a more hell-for-leather reading than this one?

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

This year, however, an unusual set of weather patterns and warm Pacific Ocean waters have short-circuited these normally reliable safeguards and allowed Hurricane Hilary to make its hell-for-leather dash for Southern California.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 20, 2023

A suited, spectacle-wearing Di Botcher charges hell-for-leather through “Broadway Baby,” her powerhouse vocals accompanied by a face riven with desperation and fear.

From New York Times • Sep. 8, 2017

GMT17:09 Round three: Another hell-for-leather round but this time O’Sullivan dominates.

From The Guardian • Dec. 12, 2015

A kind of hell-for-leather gaiety invaded the city.

From "Travels with Charley in Search of America" by John Steinbeck