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I'll be damned

American  

interjection

  1. Informal. (used when one is surprised or impressed; often preceded by well).


idiom

  1. Informal. to my surprise or chagrin (followed by if, and often shortened to damned).

  2. Informal. (used followed by if to express utter refusal or inability to do something).

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.

See Examples For:

"I've survived this terminal cancer for 16 years, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let a virus take me out," she added.

From Salon Apr. 7, 2022

I’ll be damned if I’m going to let a lack of training or lack of knowledge stop me from stepping into that power.

From Los Angeles Times Jan. 12, 2022

He said, ‘I’m just going to compete, and I’m going to grind this thing into the ground,’ and I’ll be damned if he didn’t do it.”

From Seattle Times Oct. 3, 2021

Well I’ll be damned — with a whole cabana full of witnesses, I’ve come in last place and given the game to T, twin failures that earn me ample badgering.

From New York Times Sep. 23, 2021

“Well, I’ll be damned, Lucas. Stop the presses, the world’s gonna be all right after all!”

From "Where Things Come Back" by John Corey Whaley

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