the dickens

idiom

informal + old-fashioned
used to make a statement or question more forceful
What the dickens do you mean?
We'll have to work like the dickens to finish this project.
(US) It scared/frightened the dickens out of people.
(US) She's as cute as the dickens.

Examples of the dickens in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Where to watch The Nightmare Before Christmas: Disney+ 15 of 15 A Christmas Carol The OG ghost story that started it all scared the dickens out of people when Charles Dickens released it in 1843. Huntley Woods, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2023 The OG ghost story that started it all scared the dickens out of people when Charles Dickens released it in 1843. Huntley Woods, EW.com, 20 Oct. 2023

Dictionary Entries Near the dickens

Cite this Entry

“The dickens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20dickens. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

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