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.
“The least of the New York DMV’s problems is what the hell I’m doing with my weird little truck.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 13, 2026
“Now it’s top versus bottom. And people on the bottom are wondering what the hell is going on.”
From Slate ● Nov. 3, 2026
Judge Murray Shanks said the jury's findings suggested Chowdhury "didn't know what the hell was going on", adding that it seemed a "reasonable verdict, I have to admit".
From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2026
“When you’re most in the moment, you don’t try to pretend like you know what the hell you’re doing.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026
Half of Clover City showed up because what the hell else is there to do?
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
