Have been to hell and back Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæv/ /ˈbɪn/, /bən/, /bɪn/ /ˈtu/, /tə/, /tɪ/ /ˈhɛɫ/ /ˈænd/, /ənd/ /ˈbæk

HAV BIN tuh HEL and BAK

UK

hæv/ /bˈiːn/ /tˈuː/ /hˈɛl/ /ˈænd/ /bˈæk

HAV BEEN tu HEL and BAK

Definition

This expression means someone has gone through extremely difficult or painful experiences and survived. It often suggests great hardship or suffering, but also resilience.

Usage & Nuances

Figurative, informal; never literal. Used to show deep empathy or admiration for someone's strength. Commonly follows 'I have' or 'she has' structures. Not used for mild problems, only serious hardships.

• Spanish: haber pasado por un infierno - haber pasado por todo
• Portuguese (BR): ter passado por poucas e boas - ter sofrido muito
• Portuguese (PT): ter passado por poucas e boas - ter sofrido muito
• Chinese (Simplified): 经历了地狱般的磨难 - 饱经艰辛
• Chinese (Traditional): 歷經了地獄般的磨難 - 飽經艱辛
• Hindi: नरक का सामना करना पड़ा है - बहुत कठिन समय देखा है
• Arabic: مررت بالجحيم وعُدت - عانيت كثيراً
• Bengali: নরক থেকে ফিরে আসা - খুব কঠিন সময় পার করা
• Russian: побывать в аду и вернуться - пройти через ад
• Japanese: 地獄を見てきた - 地獄から戻ってきた
• Vietnamese: trải qua địa ngục và trở lại - vượt qua địa ngục
• Korean: 지옥을 다녀오다 - 지옥을 겪다
• Turkish: cehennemi yaşamak - cehennemden dönmek
• Urdu: جہنم دیکھ کر واپس آنا - انتہائی مشکل وقت سے گزرنا
• Indonesian: pernah melewati neraka dan kembali - sudah melewati masa sangat sulit

Example Sentences

She has been to hell and back after her illness.

basic

People who lose everything and rebuild have been to hell and back.

basic

Veterans often have been to hell and back during war.

basic

Trust me, I've been to hell and back with this project.

natural

After all we've been to hell and back, nothing scares us anymore.

natural

You can tell by her eyes she's been to hell and back.

natural