How to Pronounce "to hell and back"
expression
ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈhɛɫ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈbæk
tu-HÉL-ənd-BAK, tə-HÉL-ənd-BAK, ti-HÉL-ənd-BAK
tˈuː/ /hˈɛl/ /ˈænd/ /bˈæk
tu-HÉL-ənd-BAK
Definition
This expression means someone has gone through a very difficult or painful experience and survived. It suggests overcoming extreme hardship.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈhɛɫ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈbæk
British English
tˈuː/ /hˈɛl/ /ˈænd/ /bˈæk
Simplified Pronunciation
US
tu-HÉL-ənd-BAK, tə-HÉL-ənd-BAK, ti-HÉL-ənd-BAK
UK
tu-HÉL-ənd-BAK
Listen in Context
After the accident, he felt like he had been to hell and back.
She’s been to hell and back with her illness.
We all supported him because he had been to hell and back.
Let me tell you, this past year I’ve been to hell and back.