hell

A situation or place that makes you suffer greatly.

• That journey was hell.
• They went through hell during the war.
• The endless arguments made life at home a living hell.

How to use it: go through hell (She went through hell during the divorce.); make something hell (The constant noise made work hell.)

Similar words: nightmare, misery, torment

Opposites: heaven

Common phrases: living hell, go through hell, make life hell

Something that causes a lot of pain or damage to someone or something.

• These shoes are hell on my feet.
• The long drive was hell on her back.
• Salt water can be hell on metal parts.

How to use it: be hell on someone/something (Running on concrete is hell on my joints.)

Common phrases: hell on knees, hell on something

A place that is extremely hot.

• That kitchen is hell in summer.
• The tiny room was hotter than hell.
• With the furnace running, the workshop felt like hell.

Similar words: furnace, oven

Common phrases: hot as hell, hotter than hell

Used to make a statement or question sound stronger.

• Hell yes, I'll come!
• What the hell happened here?
• She sure as hell wasn't going to give up.

How to use it: question word + the hell (Where the hell did I put my phone?); sure as hell + verb (I sure as hell remember that day.)

Common phrases: hell yes, hell no, sure as hell, what the hell

Used when you are angry, upset, or annoyed about something.

• Hell! I forgot my keys.
• Oh hell, we've missed the bus.
• Hell, why does this always happen to me?

Similar words: damn, dammit

Common phrases: oh hell, ah hell