what the hell
Idioms-
It's not important, who cares, as in It cost a lot more, but what the hell, we can afford it . [Second half of 1800s] Also see what of it .
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An intensive of what , as in What the hell do you think you're doing? [First half of 1800s] Also see under on earth .
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 she brushed off the barbs, saying: "I am toothy, dumpy, ugly, overweight, a spinster – what the hell."
From BBC ● Jul. 10, 2026
“She is trying to enjoy it and take her mind off it. But I think there’s frustration not knowing what the hell is going on in the world.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 3, 2026
At an event last month, Trump said “I don’t know what the hell we’re going to do” in regards to the potential offering.
From Barron's ● Jun. 2, 2026
If we claim that the church has become more progressive, well, what the hell do we mean, and on what time scale?
From Salon ● Apr. 5, 2026
“I, uh. Uh. I’m rarely at a loss for words, huh? Not much talking to people lately. Um. I guess maybe we should start with, what the hell are you doing here?”
From "Paper Towns" by John Green
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.
