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.
But society’s realization that birds were a finite resource and worth saving makes for a hell of a story.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026
The singer, who has become something of an expert in calling off gigs, said his latest no-show was due to the "indescribable hell" of a noisy hotel room in Valencia.
From BBC • Mar. 13, 2026
Ali Siddiq is one hell of a storyteller.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026
Related: 2025 was one hell of a year.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 4, 2026
“He insulted an artist I happened to think was a hell of a talent.”
From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin
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.
