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

The youngster “impressed the dickens out of me,” Eberhart said.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 7, 2021

“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

So why the dickens would he say incorrectly that Nevada’s voters are 80 percent white in a state that’s sparsely polled but when it is polled shows her well into the clear?

From Slate • Feb. 12, 2016

It hurt like the dickens but I gritted my teeth and walked on.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls