sick as hell

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sick as hell" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used informally to express that someone is feeling very ill or unwell, or to emphasize a strong negative feeling about something. Example: "After that long hike, I felt sick as hell and needed to rest."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"There's a young woman sick as hell in the I.C.U.

The New York Times - Magazine

Not like "Dude that run was sick!" but more like "Dude that old man is sick as hell, I'm pretty sure he's gonna die in 5 minutes!" So it will be good to train here I guess.

The New York Times

Felt as sick as hell".

Wikipedia

It's sick as hell, dogg.

Vice

Did it look sick as hell?

Huffington Post

All these guys on the boat were running to the bathroom, sick as hell.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

10 Sick-As-Hell Nature Photos from NatGeo's Latest Competition.

Vice

How Wildlife Photographers Are Using Instagram to Save Earth's Endangered Species. 10 Sick-As-Hell Nature Photos from NatGeo's Latest Competition.

Vice

And right up in their smug and condescending faces will be the noisy, passionate fury of America's dispossed, a formerly "silent majority" who, like Howard Beale's followers in Network, are now "mad as hell" and sick and tired of seeing their dead and wounded sons and daughters as pawns in the Establishment's deadly imperial dreams and greedy border schemes.

Huffington Post

Sure as hell yes.

Huffington Post

I'm sick as holy hell.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sick as hell", be mindful of your audience as it's considered informal. Reserve it for casual conversations or writing where a more relaxed tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "sick as hell" in formal writing or professional settings. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "extremely ill" or "seriously unwell" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sick as hell" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing the state of being ill with increased intensity. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is typically used informally to express that someone is feeling very ill or unwell, or to emphasize a strong negative feeling about something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sick as hell" is an informal and emphatic way to express feeling very ill or strongly disliking something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English, primarily in casual settings. While grammatically correct, its informal register makes it unsuitable for formal or professional contexts. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase, intensifying the meaning of "sick". When a more formal tone is required, alternatives such as "extremely ill" or "seriously sick" are more appropriate. As demonstrated by the examples, "sick as hell" is frequently found in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly sick

Uses 'terribly' as an intensifier to convey a strong feeling of illness.

incredibly sick

Emphasizes the sickness using 'incredibly' as an intensifier.

seriously sick

Emphasizes the severity of the illness without the vulgarity.

unbelievably sick

Uses 'unbelievably' to stress the extent of the sickness experienced.

extremely ill

Replaces the idiomatic "as hell" with a more formal adjective, changing the tone.

awfully sick

A common and slightly less intense way to express feeling very sick.

very unwell

Offers a slightly milder and more polite way to express illness.

horribly sick

Conveys a sense of disgust or discomfort associated with the sickness.

deathly ill

Implies a life-threatening level of sickness, increasing the intensity.

gravely sick

Similar to 'deathly ill', suggesting a serious and concerning illness.

FAQs

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

You can use "sick as hell" to describe feeling extremely ill, for example, "After eating that bad sushi, I was sick as hell all night."

What can I say instead of "sick as hell"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely ill", "seriously sick", or "very unwell" depending on the context.

Is "sick as hell" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sick as hell" is grammatically correct in informal contexts. However, it is considered vulgar and should not be used in formal writing.

When is it appropriate to use "sick as hell"?

It is appropriate to use "sick as hell" in casual conversations, informal writing, or when emphasizing a strong negative feeling among close friends or family.