English idiom

for the hell of it

Register · Informal CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

for amusement or impulse rather than for any serious purpose

Word picture

The action is pictured as being done for its wild or mischievous feeling alone, with no practical aim.

Example

“We took the last ferry across the bay just for the hell of it.”

Dictionary details

Component words

hell

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

raise hell

to create a loud disturbance or behave in a wildly disruptive way

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

go bananas

to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control

raise the roof

to create an extremely loud commotion through celebration or protest

full of beans

bursting with cheerful energy and enthusiasm

give something a miss

to choose not to do, attend, or take part in something

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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