what in the hell

what in the hell

An exclamation used to emphasize surprise, shock, anger, disgust, etc. In this phrase, "in the hell" is used as an intensifier. What in the hell do you think you're doing? You can't come in here! What in the hell? I just had this fixed, and now there's a dent in it! Just what in the hell is going on here?
See also: hell, what
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

What (in) the hell?

1. interrog. What has happened?; What? What the hell happened here?
2. interrog. What does it matter? (Usually with the force of an exclamation.) Don’t be such a cheapskate. Get the nice one. What the hell!
See also: what
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • What in the hell?
  • what the hell
  • what the hell!
  • What the hell?
  • how the hell
  • what in hell
  • the hell
  • a cold day in Hell