Idioms

all hell broke loose

This page is about the idiom all hell broke loose

INFORMAL

Meaning

You can say "all hell broke loose" if a situation suddenly became violent or chaotic.

For example

  • I was walking through the station on my way to work when I heard this huge explosion, and then all hell broke loose.

  • Everything was fine in the club until someone yelled, "Fire!" and then all hell broke loose as people started running and screaming and pushing each other.

Quick Quiz

All hell broke loose after

a. a girl pulled out a phone

b. a guy pulled out a gun

c. a dentist pulled out a tooth
a) a girl pulled out a phone b) a guy pulled out a gun c) a dentist pulled out a tooth

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey