as all hell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as all hell" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize a strong degree of something, often in a colloquial or informal context. Example: "The movie was boring as all hell, and I couldn't wait for it to end."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it was scary as all hell.

The Guardian

It's also stressful as all hell.

The New Yorker

It's pathetic, but exciting as all hell.

The Guardian - Sport

"He is unpredictable as all hell and that's refreshing".

The New York Times

Connie, ten years younger than Rocha, firm as all hell, what they call a biker babe.

The New Yorker

("Why bring the emperor back to life? That would just be stupid as all hell").

The Guardian - Film

Turkey journalism was rampant, funny as all hell, and often brilliant.

The New Yorker

The movie is reverently hushed even as all Hell is literally breaking loose.

The New Yorker

The form can be democratic as all hell, but in lexicon-land, surely the content is what matters.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

While there, Fallon asked the actor to read a nursery rhyme in his typical creepy-as-all-hell demeanor.

Huffington Post

Back when I was younger, I used to love the cheap-as-all-hell toys that came in the capsules.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as all hell" to add emphasis and a colloquial tone to your writing when describing something intense or extreme. Consider your audience, as this phrase may not be appropriate in formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple intensifiers (e.g., "really, as all hell") as it can weaken your writing. Choose the most impactful intensifier instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as all hell" functions as an adverbial intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to emphasize their degree. Ludwig examples show it used to describe things that are "scary", "stressful", or "exciting", highlighting the intensity of these feelings or states.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as all hell" is an adverbial intensifier used to emphasize the degree of an adjective or adverb. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used in informal contexts, predominantly in news and media. It serves to amplify the characteristic being described, adding emotional emphasis and a colloquial tone. While useful for casual conversation, it's important to remember that alternatives such as "extremely" or "incredibly" are more appropriate in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly

This adverb emphasizes the surprising or extraordinary nature of something.

extremely

This is a more formal and general way to express a high degree.

exceptionally

This alternative suggests that something is beyond the norm or usual.

intensely

This alternative highlights the strength or force of something.

remarkably

This adverb implies that something is worthy of attention or notice due to its degree.

very much so

This phrase emphasizes the extent to which something is true or applicable.

exceedingly

This is a more formal way of saying 'very' or 'extremely'.

awfully

This is a slightly old-fashioned way to express a high degree, similar to 'very'.

terribly

This adverb suggests that something is severe or extreme in a negative way.

to a great extent

This is a more verbose but clear way to indicate a significant degree.

FAQs

What does the phrase "as all hell" mean?

The phrase "as all hell" is an idiom used to emphasize the extreme degree of something. It is often used informally to describe something that is very intense, difficult, or impressive.

Is "as all hell" appropriate for formal writing?

No, the phrase "as all hell" is considered informal and colloquial. It's best to avoid using it in formal writing or professional settings. Consider using alternatives like "extremely", "very much so", or "intensely" depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "as all hell"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases such as "as hell", "extremely", "incredibly", or "intensely" to convey a similar meaning without the informal tone.

How can I use "as all hell" in a sentence?

You can use "as all hell" to emphasize an adjective or adverb. For example: "The movie was boring as all hell" or "He was nervous as all hell before the presentation."