heck
Used as a light exclamation when you are surprised, a bit angry, or want to add strong feeling, but in a soft, not rude way.
Used as a mild exclamation to show surprise, annoyance, or emphasis, less strong than "hell" or "damn".
A soft form of the word "hell" used in questions like "what the heck" to show you are surprised, angry, or confused.
A mild substitute for the word "hell" used mainly in questions introduced by a wh-word to add surprise, annoyance, or emphasis.
Used in the phrase "a heck of" to mean something is very big, very strong, or very good (or sometimes very bad).
Used in the phrase "a heck of" to mean a very large amount or a very strong degree of something, often with approval or emphasis.
Used mostly in the phrase "not give a heck" to mean not care at all.
Used mainly in negative expressions such as "not give a heck" to mean even a very small amount of care, interest, or concern.
- Base: heck
- Plural: heck
a heck of a lot
1Very large quantity
Means a very large amount or number of something.
- We spent a heck of a lot of time on this project.
- She has a heck of a lot of experience in marketing.
- That’s a heck of a lot of sugar for one cake.
heck no
1Strong informal refusal
Used to say "no" very strongly in an informal way.
- Heck no, I’m not jumping off that cliff.
- Heck no, we are not working this weekend.
- Heck no, you can’t borrow my new car.
heck of a
1Very great or impressive
Used before a noun to say something is very big, very strong, or very good (or sometimes very bad).
- That was heck of a performance for a beginner.
- She has heck of a problem on her hands.
- You’ve got heck of a view from your apartment.
how the heck
1Emphatic "how" showing disbelief
Used to ask how something is possible, with strong surprise or disbelief.
- How the heck did you finish so fast?
- How the heck are we going to pay for this?
- How the heck do you use this app?
not give a heck
1Not care at all
Means to not care at all about something.
- I don’t give a heck what they say about me.
- She clearly doesn’t give a heck about their opinions.
- They don’t give a heck whether we show up or not.
oh heck
1Mild frustration or disappointment
Said when you feel a little angry, sad, or disappointed, but not very strong.
- Oh heck, I deleted the wrong file.
- Oh heck, I forgot to buy milk again.
- Oh heck, I was hoping it wouldn’t rain today.
one heck of a
1Extremely big/strong example of something
Used before a noun to say something is an extremely strong or impressive example of that thing.
- That was one heck of a storm last night.
- He made one heck of a catch in the final minute.
- This is one heck of a mess to clean up.
the heck out of
1To a very great degree
Used after a verb to mean doing something to a very strong or complete degree.
- That movie scared the heck out of me.
- He beat the heck out of his old record.
- She confused the heck out of everyone with that explanation.
what the heck
1Emphatic question showing surprise/annoyance
Used before a question to show that you are very surprised, angry, or confused about something.
- What the heck is going on here?
- What the heck did you say to him?
- What the heck are they building next door?
where the heck
1Emphatic "where" showing frustration
Used to ask where something or someone is, with strong surprise, worry, or anger.
- Where the heck did you go last night?
- Where the heck is my phone?
- Where the heck are we supposed to meet them?
who the heck
1Emphatic "who" showing irritation
Used to ask which person, with extra surprise or annoyance.
- Who the heck keeps leaving the door open?
- Who the heck are you to tell me what to do?
- Who the heck parked in my spot?
why the heck
1Emphatic "why" showing annoyance
Used to ask why something happened, when you feel angry, upset, or very surprised.
- Why the heck didn’t you tell me earlier?
- Why the heck are we doing this in the rain?
- Why the heck would they cancel at the last minute?