I'll be damned
Americaninterjection
idiom
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Informal. to my surprise or chagrin (followed by if, and often shortened to damned).
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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.
“I could downplay my intelligence but I’ll be damned if I will ever do that.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2025
"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
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
“That’s exactly what Ash said before he left last night. I’ll be damned if you’re going to disappear on me too.”
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
