hell week

American  

noun

1. the week of hazing before initiation into a college fraternity or sorority.

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Etymology

Origin of hell week

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30

Example Sentences

Monopoly and Life — times he cherished while sitting on the living room floor’s plush red carpet, so famous for its comfort that it was his John Muir High School football teammates’ favorite place to nap in between Hell Week practices.

From Los Angeles Times

Kyle Mullen, 24, collapsed and died of acute pneumonia just hours after completing the SEALs’ grueling Hell Week test.

From Seattle Times

The most difficult part of the course, known as "Hell Week", sees trainees endure five-and-a-half days of training with fewer than four hours sleep.

From BBC

Already the command has taken steps to overhaul procedures, add medical staff and improve their training, particularly on heart and breathing problems commonly seen during Hell Week.

From Seattle Times

In the year since Seaman Mullen’s death, new leaders have made a number of changes at the course, including increased oversight of instructors, better communication among the medical staff and closer medical monitoring of students who finish Hell Week.

From New York Times