hell of a mess

hell of a mess

A really bad situation. Michael's lying got him into one hell of a mess at work. He'll probably get fired.
See also: hell, mess, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

a hell of a mess

Inf. a terrible mess. (Use caution with hell.) This is really a hell of a mess you've gotten us into. I never dreamed I'd come back to such a hell of a mess.
See also: hell, mess, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

hell of a mess

n. a terrible mess. (see also mell of a hess. Use caution with hell.) This is really a hell of a mess you’ve gotten us into.
See also: hell, mess, of
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • a hell of a mess
  • mell
  • mell of a hess
  • be hell on
  • be hell on (one)
  • would see (someone) in hell before (one) would (do something)
  • be hell on wheels
  • see (one) in hell before (doing something)
  • hell and high water
  • hell of a someone/something
References in periodicals archive
They are now coming in vast numbers." Another local, Alan Hart,said: "The last time they came, they left a hell of a mess. There is just too many of them - they're making life a misery for us."
The council needs to step in and do something about this - they'll leave a hell of a mess when they go."
Travellers take over Hobbit beauty spot; Residents demand council must act
Blair left a hell of a mess and he is still trying to interfere.
I have every faith in Theresa May as PM
He said: "It was a hell of a mess. My ewes suffered unnecessarily."
'It was a hell of a mess,' said sheep owner Aled Roberts
SAVAGED BY ROTTWEILERS; Rampaging dogs massacre 15 sheep Now farmers say: enough is enough
SAYING randy Corrie star Jimmi Harkishin's love life is one hell of a mess is an understatement.
RADAR: Dirty Dev's all tied up
THE Tories were reeling last night as a senior figure described the party as in "a hell of a mess".
Top Tory adds to IDS woe
A spokesman for Islington council said the couple, who recently sold another house for pounds 500,000 "left a hell of a mess".
Lotto pair forced out