What does “All Hell Breaks Loose” mean?
"All Hell Breaks Loose" means that a situation becomes chaotic or out of control.
What context can I use the in?
Example
When the news broke, all hell broke loose in the office.
Example
As soon as the referee made a bad call, all hell broke loose on the soccer field.
Example
When the fire alarm went off, all hell broke loose as people rushed to evacuate the building
Is “All Hell Breaks Loose” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“All Hell Breaks Loose” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “All Hell Breaks Loose” effectively in context?
You can use "All Hell Breaks Loose" to describe a situation that becomes chaotic or out of control. It emphasizes the sudden and intense nature of the chaos. For example, if there is a sudden outbreak of violence at a protest, you might say, 'When the police arrived, all hell broke loose.'
- 1Conflict
During the argument, tempers flared and all hell broke loose.
- 2Sports
After the controversial call, all hell broke loose on the basketball court.
- 3Emergency
When the earthquake hit, all hell broke loose as people ran for safety.
Similar phrases to “All Hell Breaks Loose”:
A situation becomes chaotic and noisy
Example
When the band started playing, pandemonium broke out in the crowd.
Chaos ensues
A situation becomes disorderly and confused
Example
After the power outage, chaos ensued as people tried to find their way out of the building.
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “All Hell Breaks Loose” come from?
The origin of the phrase "All Hell Breaks Loose" is unknown.
Is “All Hell Breaks Loose” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "All Hell Breaks Loose" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. It is often used to vividly describe situations that quickly become chaotic or uncontrollable.
What tone does “All Hell Breaks Loose” have?
"All Hell Breaks Loose" conveys a tone of intensity and urgency. It is typically used to describe situations that escalate rapidly and result in chaos or disorder.
Can “All Hell Breaks Loose” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "All Hell Breaks Loose" is more commonly used in informal settings. It is often used in casual conversations among friends, family, or colleagues. However, it can also be used in more formal contexts to emphasize the severity of a situation.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'When the news broke, all hell broke loose in the office.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'When the alarm went off, "all hell broke loose"!' to imply chaos and panic.
