hell of a
Idioms-
Also, one hell of a
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See devil of a .
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This phrase is used as an intensive to emphasize certain qualities about the noun it modifies. By itself the idiom is ambiguous, for its exact meaning depends on the context. For example, He is a hell of a driver can mean either that he is very skillful or that he is a terrible driver. Similarly, We had one hell of a time can mean either that we enjoyed ourselves greatly or that we had an awful or difficult time. [Second half of 1700s]
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.
The actor explained he took his “sweet time” mulling over whether to leave the show because “it was one hell of a decision to make.”
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026
The rooms are spacious, with curved walls of windows that look out over the water—truly one hell of a view.
From Salon • Mar. 31, 2026
“Like a lot of things in life, it was one hell of a struggle to get it done.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 5, 2026
So I appreciate the guys in this locker room a whole hell of a lot.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026
It looks like a hell of a party.
From "Here to Stay" by Sara Farizan
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.
