Like hell Meaning in English
expression
ˈɫaɪk/ /ˈhɛɫ
LIEK HEL
lˈaɪk/ /hˈɛl
lie-KHEL
Definition
A slang expression meaning 'very much' or 'with great effort/speed.' It can also be used to strongly deny something, as in 'Like hell I will!'.
Usage & Nuances
Informal and sometimes vulgar. Used for emphasis when doing something intensely ('run like hell'), or for strong denial ('Like hell I will!'). Do not use in formal situations; may sound rude.
Spanish: como loco - como un demonio - ni de broma (en rechazo)Portuguese (BR): pra caramba - feito louco - nem pensar (em negação)Portuguese (PT): como um doido - para caramba - nem pensar (em negação)Chinese (Simplified): 拼命地 - 死命地 - 才怪（用于否定）Chinese (Traditional): 拼命地 - 死命地 - 纔怪（用於否定）Hindi: बहुत ज़्यादा - बेतहाशा - बिलकुल नहीं (इनकार में)Arabic: بشدة - بجنون - مستحيل (للنفي)Bengali: ভীষণভাবে - খুব জোরে - একেবারেই না (অস্বীকৃতি)Russian: как сумасшедший - чертовски сильно - ни за что (ни в коем случае)Japanese: めちゃくちゃ - 必死で - 絶対に～しない（強い否定）Vietnamese: hết sức - dữ dội - không đời nào (phủ định mạnh)Korean: 엄청나게 - 죽도록 - 절대 (강한 부정)Turkish: deliler gibi - var gücüyle - asla (şiddetli ret)Urdu: شدید حد تک - بہت زیادہ - ہرگز نہیں (شدید انکار)Indonesian: hết sức - cực kỳ - không đời nào (phủ định mạnh)
Example Sentences
He ran like hell to catch the bus.
basic
I studied like hell for the exam.
basic
Are you going to apologize? Like hell I am!
basic
We worked like hell to finish on time.
natural
She yelled like hell when she saw the spider.
natural
‘You'll help me move, right?’ — ‘Like hell I will.’
natural