hell of a

1. Also, one hell of a

2. See devil of a .

3. 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

Patrick Smith said his AI cybersecurity company, Zally, needed “a hell of a lot of money” for initial R&D and patent filing, which he said would be impossible to raise in Europe.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Instead, she concentrated her fire on Labour, accusing Sir Keir Starmer of leading a "weak and directionless" government, which was making "one hell of a mess" of the country.

Read more on BBC

"Handsworth, it's come a hell of a long way in the 40 years since the last civil disturbances there and it's actually a very integrated place," he continued.

Read more on BBC

"The new generation of Shelbys have taken the wheel and it will be a hell of a ride."

Read more on BBC

Labour is facing a "hell of a fight" against the "divisive nationalism" of Plaid Cymru and Reform, Wales' first minister has told the party's Autumn conference.

Read more on BBC