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.

There now are about a dozen post offices, he said, and it feels like “they’re trying like the dickens to shut those down.”

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 10, 2020

Partch and others have been trying like the dickens to save it.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2020

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Farmer and former Nebraska senator Norm Wallman: ‘Anything to get the ball rolling . You can plant it early in the spring, and it’s tough as the dickens.’

From The Guardian • Jun. 12, 2016

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

She clutched her heart and said, “Charlie! Lordy! You scared the dickens out of me.”

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor