the dickens
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The play is called “Love of the Game” because, basically, the receiver just runs like the dickens and hopes to draw enough attention to free up other receivers.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 23, 2022
Her best bet, she decided, was to listen for the telltale squeak of her mailbox lid when the letter carrier stopped by in the afternoon and scream like the dickens.
From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021
Partch and others have been trying like the dickens to save it.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2020
“He’s a human being. Little mistakes are made, different words are used – and everybody does it. As far as I can see, he’s trying the dickens to do a good job.”
From The Guardian • May 19, 2017
After all the bragging I had done about what a good monkey catcher I was, I hated like the dickens to go and face him, but I couldn’t just run away.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
