be in one hell of a state vs be in a hell of a state

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'Be in one hell of a state' implies a more intense or extreme situation compared to 'be in a hell of a state.' The addition of 'one' in the first phrase emphasizes the severity or seriousness of the state.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1205 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used to emphasize an intense or extreme situation.

"be in one hell of a state"

This phrase is used to describe being in a very difficult, chaotic, or problematic situation. The addition of 'one' emphasizes the severity or intensity of the state.

Examples:

After the accident, he was in one hell of a state.
She found herself in one hell of a state after losing her job.
I came home to find the house in one hell of a state.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'm in one hell of a bind.
You got yourself in one hell of a mess now.
Either I make it down there in one piece and I have one hell of a story to tell, or I burn up in the next ten minutes.
Or he was in one hell of a knife fight.
Going someplace in one hell of a hurry.
You got me in one hell of a mess.
Also, I'll be honest, you caught me in one hell of a good mood.
Also, I'll be honest, you caught me in one hell of a good mood.
Especially since Jenna's dead body shows us that she was in one hell of a fight right before that party.
I know you're in one hell of a rush to get married.
I think she was in one hell of a fight.
She put us in one hell of a corner, you know?
If they get hold of me, I'm in one hell of a lot of trouble.
You also have a failed marriage, two stints in rehab, a kid you never see, and you're in one hell of a custody battle.
Son, you make one hell of a historian.
That'll make one hell of a story at their wedding.
You just made one hell of a deal.
That's one hell of a rush hour.
This was one hell of a bus.
One hell of a trip. That's for sure.

Alternatives:

be in a hell of a state
be in a terrible state
be in a dreadful state
be in a chaotic state
be in a dire state

This phrase is correct and commonly used to describe being in a difficult or chaotic situation.

"be in a hell of a state"

This phrase is used to convey being in a very difficult, chaotic, or problematic situation. It implies a state of distress or disarray.

Examples:

She was in a hell of a state when she realized she lost her wallet.
The office was in a hell of a state after the power outage.
He found himself in a hell of a state trying to meet the deadline.

Show examples from the web [+]

In a hell of a state, he was.
Think about it, a photon arrives at the slits in a hell of a quantum state and travels through both.
We'll be in a hell of a fix without money.
We're going to be in a hell of a fix without money.
And if Mr. Beauregard wasn't our butler, it's safe to say the family'd be in a hell of a lot of trouble.
She could fall in. We'd be in a hell of a mess.
The world'd be in a hell of a mess if everyone got what they asked for, eh?
If coap keeps the pressure up on these guys, It'll save the state a hell of a lot of money on trials.
Mind you, you're in hell of a state.
I mean, the world would be in a hell of a mess, wouldn't it, if everybody got what they asked for?
It'll save the state a hell of a lot of money on trials.
He seemed to need it in a hell of a hurry.
He's in a hell of his own making.
We've been in a hell of a lot worse places than this.
Stewie, you're putting me in a hell of a position here, but I have no choice.
I mean, he was in a hell of a hurry to get himself to the hospital.
- You're in a hell of a jam.
I'm in a hell of a hurry, but I want you to call me later today at the office.
You were in a hell of a situation back in '88.
But whoever entered that house ended up in a hell of a fight.

Alternatives:

be in one hell of a state
be in a terrible state
be in a dreadful state
be in a chaotic state
be in a dire state

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be in one hell of a state vs be in a hell of a state