fair as hell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fair as hell" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is very fair, often in a colloquial or informal context. Example: "The decision made by the committee was fair as hell, considering all the factors involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Benjamin C. Bradlee, The Post's former executive editor, said, "He was fair as hell, and he tolerated no sacred cows of any kind".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Sure as hell yes.

Huffington Post

Just weird as hell.

TechCrunch

Just looks cool as hell.

TechCrunch

Second, this is about as fair as when Ted Stevens caught hell for describing the internet as "a series of tubes".

The Economist

"I had a mad-as-hell moment.

Independent

Mr. Pennington all but spits forth the final couplet of sonnet No. 147: "For I have sworn thee fair, and thought thee bright/Who art as black as hell, as dark as night".

The New York Times

Nobody ever goes: fair fucks to that rat, it grew as big as hell.

Vice

And tough as hell.

The New Yorker

Are strong as hell".

The New Yorker

Loud as hell, though".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fair as hell" to emphasize a point about justice or impartiality, particularly when aiming for a strong, informal tone. This construction is effective in conveying conviction and can add impact to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "fair as hell" in formal writing or professional settings where a more neutral or sophisticated tone is expected. Opt for alternatives like "extremely fair" or "unquestionably fair" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fair as hell" primarily functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "fair." Ludwig confirms its usage to emphasize the extent to which something is considered just or impartial. It serves to amplify the degree of fairness being described.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "fair as hell" is used to emphasize the fairness of something, conveying a strong sense of approval or conviction. As verified by Ludwig, while grammatically correct, its informal register makes it more suitable for casual conversation than for professional or academic writing. More formal alternatives like "extremely fair" or "unquestionably fair" should be considered in such settings. The phrase's usage patterns show its prevalence in News & Media sources. Therefore, when aiming for impactful and informal communication, "fair as hell" can effectively amplify the notion of justice or impartiality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely fair

Replaces "as hell" with a standard intensifier, keeping the meaning similar but more formal.

incredibly fair

Similar to "extremely fair" but uses a different standard intensifier, still avoiding colloquial language.

absolutely fair

This alternative replaces the intensifying "hell" with a more neutral adverb, reducing the informal tone.

completely fair

This alternative uses a more standard adverb to express the extent of fairness, avoiding the colloquialism.

unquestionably fair

This phrase replaces the intensifier with a term suggesting certainty and lack of doubt about the fairness.

undeniably fair

This term presents the fairness as something that cannot be argued against, heightening the sense of certainty.

genuinely fair

This phrase swaps the intensifier with an adjective that reinforces the authenticity of the fairness.

remarkably fair

This alternative highlights the fairness as something noteworthy or exceptional, changing the emphasis slightly.

fair beyond measure

This phrase replaces the intensifier with a more poetic expression, emphasizing the high degree of fairness.

just beyond belief

Switches to using "just" and alters the intensifier to emphasize the surprising degree of fairness.

FAQs

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

You can use "fair as hell" to strongly emphasize the impartiality or justness of something. For example: "The judge's ruling was "fair as hell", considering all the evidence presented."

What does "fair as hell" mean?

"Fair as hell" is an emphatic way of saying that something is extremely fair. It's an informal expression used to highlight the degree of fairness.

Are there more formal alternatives to "fair as hell"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "extremely fair", "incredibly fair", or "unquestionably fair" to maintain a more professional or formal tone.

Is it appropriate to use "fair as hell" in professional writing?

Generally, it's best to avoid using "fair as hell" in professional or academic writing due to its informal and somewhat vulgar tone. Stick to more neutral or formal alternatives for such contexts.