hell-for-leather

hell-for-leather
adverb
at breakneck speed
-

they were travelling hell-for-leather

• Derived from adjective: ↑breakneck

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I. \\| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷\ adverb
: in a hell-for-leather manner : at full tilt : hell-bent

galloped hell-for-leather down the trail

II. adjective
Etymology: hell-for-leather (I)
: marked by determined recklessness or great speed or force : rip-roaring

she swept down the dizzying descent with the verve and hell-for-leather dash of a man — Time

III. noun
: wild abandon or frantic haste

became surer of his music … learned … to take it easy when the crowd did not demand hell-for-leather — Harold Sinclair

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/hel"feuhr ledh"euhr/, Informal.
adj.
1. characterized by reckless determination or breakneck speed: The sheriff led the posse in a hell-for-leather chase.
adv.
2. in a hell-for-leather manner; hellbent: motorcycles roaring hell-for-leather down the turnpike.
[1885-90]

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • hell-for-leather — [hel′fər leth′ər] Slang adj. 1. with all of one s energy, will, etc.; with wholehearted or reckless determination 2. at full speed or with great speed [a hell for leather chase] adv. in a hell for leather manner or fashion …   English World dictionary

  • hell-for-leather — hell′ for leath′er Informal. 1) cvb inf characterized by reckless determination or breakneck speed: a hell for leather chase[/ex] 2) cvb in a hell for leather manner; hellbent • Etymology: 1885–90 …   From formal English to slang

  • hell for leather — If you do something hell for leather, especially running, you do it as fast as you can …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • hell for leather — ► hell for leather as fast as possible. Main Entry: ↑hell …   English terms dictionary

  • hell for leather — VERY FAST, very quickly, rapidly, speedily, swiftly, hurriedly, at full tilt, at full pelt, headlong, hotfoot, post haste, helter skelter, at the speed of light, at breakneck speed; informal like a bat out of hell, like the wind, like greased… …   Useful english dictionary

  • hell-for-leather — I. adverb Date: 1889 in a hell for leather manner ; at full speed < rode hell for leather down the trail > II. adjective Date: 1920 marked by determined recklessness, great speed, or lack of restraint < a cocky, hell for leather fighting man H. H …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • hell-for-leather — /hel feuhr ledh euhr/, Informal. adj. 1. characterized by reckless determination or breakneck speed: The sheriff led the posse in a hell for leather chase. adv. 2. in a hell for leather manner; hellbent: motorcycles roaring hell for leather down… …   Universalium

  • hell-for-leather — adverb as fast as possible; recklessly fast He rode hell for leather to catch up with the stagecoach …   Wiktionary

  • hell for leather —    If you do something hell for leather, especially running, you do it as fast as you can.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • Hell for leather —   If you do something hell for leather, especially running, you do it as fast as you can …   Dictionary of English idioms

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