play hell (english) - meaning, definition, translation, pronunciation

Part of Speech

• Verb phrase

Phonetic Transcription

• /pleɪ hɛl/

Meaning and Usage

The phrase "play hell" means to cause a great deal of chaos, trouble, or disruption. It can also imply creating an uproar or acting in a violent or destructive manner, often to draw attention or express anger. The phrase is often used in informal contexts and is more prevalent in spoken language.

Frequency of Use

"Play hell" is an idiomatic expression that appears frequently in conversational English but less in formal writing. It is generally understood among native speakers and is common in storytelling, anecdotes, and informal discussions about conflicts or issues.

Example Sentences

1. "When he found out the news, he decided to play hell with everyone involved."
   "Когда он узнал новость, он решил устроить всем настоящее дело."

2. "The storm was so severe that it played hell with our travel plans."
   "Шторм был настолько сильным, что испортил наши планы на поездку."

3. "If you keep ignoring this problem, it will play hell with your future."
   "Если ты будешь продолжать игнорировать эту проблему, это сильно повлияет на твое будущее."

Idiomatic Expressions

"Play hell" is part of several idiomatic expressions and phrases in English:

1. "Play hell to pay"
   "After the incident, there was hell to pay for everyone involved." "После инцидента все вовлеченные поплатились."

2. "Play hell with"
   "The technical issues played hell with our presentation." "Технические проблемы сильно испортили нашу презентацию."

3. "Play hell and high water"
   "He will go through hell and high water to get the job done." "Он пройдет через огонь и воду, чтобы выполнить работу."

4. "Make hell break loose"
   "If they don't fix this soon, there will be hell to pay." "Если они не исправят это скоро, будет большой скандал."

Etymology

The phrase "play hell" likely derives from the historical use of "hell" as a reference to chaos or disorder. The term "hell" has roots in Old English, coming from the word "helle," which was used to describe the underworld or a state of suffering. The combining of "play" suggests causing or engaging in that chaos.

Synonyms and Antonyms

• Synonyms: Cause trouble, create chaos, wreak havoc
• Antonyms: Calm, soothe, settle down, bring order

The phrase "play hell" is colorful and effectively captures a sense of turmoil, making it a popular choice in informal communication.