go through hell and high water
To experience many difficulties
Littéralement: To travel through the place of eternal fire and through rising flood waters.
Use this to describe surviving a major struggle or promising to finish a task no matter what.
En 15 secondes
- Surviving extreme difficulties to reach a specific goal.
- A mix of emotional struggle and physical obstacles.
- Used to show resilience, grit, and unstoppable determination.
Signification
This phrase describes surviving an incredibly difficult or painful journey to achieve a goal. It means you faced every possible obstacle and kept going anyway.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Talking about a difficult move
We went through hell and high water to get this house, but we finally moved in.
We faced many difficulties to get this house.
A boss thanking a team
I know you all went through hell and high water to meet this deadline.
I know you worked through many obstacles to finish on time.
Texting a friend about a trip
Flight canceled, lost luggage... I went through hell and high water to get here!
I had a very difficult journey getting here.
Contexte culturel
The phrase likely originated in the United States in the late 19th century, reflecting the physical dangers of the American West. It combines the biblical concept of 'Hell' with the very real danger of 'High Water' (floods), which were the two greatest threats to travelers and farmers. It has since become a staple of American English to describe stubborn persistence.
Use for the 'Past' or 'Future'
Use 'went through' for things that already happened, and 'come hell or high water' for things you promise will happen.
Don't overdo the drama
If you use this for every small problem, like a broken shoelace, people will think you are being sarcastic or annoying.
En 15 secondes
- Surviving extreme difficulties to reach a specific goal.
- A mix of emotional struggle and physical obstacles.
- Used to show resilience, grit, and unstoppable determination.
What It Means
Imagine facing a literal inferno on one side and a massive flood on the other. That is the energy of this phrase. It describes surviving extreme hardship or navigating a series of nightmare scenarios. When you say you went through hell and high water, you are telling people that your journey was exhausting but you didn't quit. It is about resilience and grit. It is not just about being busy; it is about surviving a storm.
How To Use It
You usually use this in the past tense to describe a completed struggle. You can also use it as a promise for the future. For example, I will get there, come hell or high water. This shows you are unstoppable. It works well when you want to emphasize that a task was much harder than people think. It adds a bit of drama and weight to your story. Use it when you want to sound like a hero who survived a battle.
When To Use It
Use this when you are talking about a project that almost failed five times. Use it when you had to travel through three airports and a snowstorm to reach a wedding. It is great for deep bonding moments with friends. It also works in professional settings when a team finally finishes a grueling project. It acknowledges that everyone worked incredibly hard. It is perfect for those 'we finally made it' moments.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small inconveniences. If you just waited ten minutes for a latte, this phrase is too dramatic. You will sound like you are complaining too much. Also, avoid it in very stiff, academic writing. It is a colorful idiom, not a technical term. If the situation was actually life-threatening, people might take it too literally. Keep it for metaphorical 'battles' like work, travel, or personal goals.
Cultural Background
This phrase has roots in the American frontier and old folk stories. Hell represents the spiritual or emotional struggle, while high water represents the physical danger of flooding rivers. In the 1800s, crossing a flooded river was a common and deadly problem for travelers. It became popular because it captures the two biggest fears of the time: fire and water. It is a very 'pioneer' way of thinking about problems.
Common Variations
The most common variation is come hell or high water. This version is used as a promise or a deadline. Another similar phrase is through thick and thin, but that is more about loyalty than hardship. You might also hear people just say I've been through hell, but adding the high water makes it sound more like a complete, epic adventure. It feels more 'classic' and poetic.
Notes d'usage
This is a C1-level idiom that fits perfectly in casual and semi-professional speech. It is highly evocative and dramatic, so use it when you want to emphasize the scale of a struggle. Avoid it in formal academic papers or legal documents.
Use for the 'Past' or 'Future'
Use 'went through' for things that already happened, and 'come hell or high water' for things you promise will happen.
Don't overdo the drama
If you use this for every small problem, like a broken shoelace, people will think you are being sarcastic or annoying.
The 'Hell' Factor
In some very conservative religious circles, the word 'hell' is considered mild profanity. Use 'heck and high water' if you want to be extra polite!
Exemples
6We went through hell and high water to get this house, but we finally moved in.
We faced many difficulties to get this house.
Shows the house-buying process was a nightmare.
I know you all went through hell and high water to meet this deadline.
I know you worked through many obstacles to finish on time.
Validates the team's hard work and stress.
Flight canceled, lost luggage... I went through hell and high water to get here!
I had a very difficult journey getting here.
Uses hyperbole to describe a stressful travel day.
I'll be at your wedding, come hell or high water.
I will definitely be at your wedding, no matter what happens.
A strong, dramatic promise of loyalty.
I went through hell and high water to find these organic truffles.
It was very hard to find these specific ingredients.
Slightly dramatic for a funny effect.
That company went through hell and high water during the recession.
The company survived many severe problems during the economic downturn.
Describes a period of survival for a business.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct phrase to complete the sentence about a difficult project.
It took six months and three different managers, but we went through ___ to finish the app.
This is the standard idiom for experiencing many difficulties to achieve a goal.
Which variation is used to express a future promise?
I will get this report finished by Monday, ___ hell or high water.
'Come hell or high water' is the fixed expression used for future determination.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Hell and High Water'
Texting friends about a bad day.
Ugh, went through hell and high water just to find parking.
Telling a story at a dinner party.
We went through hell and high water to get the visa.
Acknowledging a team's effort.
The team went through hell and high water to launch this.
Legal or academic writing.
NOT RECOMMENDED: Use 'significant obstacles' instead.
When to use 'Hell and High Water'
Travel Disasters
Missed flights and lost passports.
Work Projects
Tight deadlines and technical bugs.
Personal Goals
Training for a marathon with an injury.
Strong Promises
Vowing to be there for a friend.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIn this idiom, it is generally not considered offensive. It is used for emphasis, though in very formal religious settings, you might avoid it.
No, the order is fixed. It must always be hell and high water to sound natural.
Thick and thin is usually about staying loyal to a person, while hell and high water is about overcoming obstacles to reach a goal.
Yes, it is common in business to describe a difficult project, like saying We went through hell and high water to close this deal.
Actually, it usually implies you succeeded despite the trouble. You went 'through' it and came out the other side.
You don't usually call a person 'hell and high water.' You say a person *went through* it.
Sometimes people just say I've been through hell, but adding high water makes it a more specific, classic idiom.
It is used in both, but it has a very strong American 'Wild West' flavor in its history.
Only if you are being funny. If you say it about a late bus, people will know you are joking about how 'hard' your life is.
Yes, literally it refers to flood levels that make traveling dangerous or impossible.
Expressions liées
Through thick and thin
Under all conditions, no matter how difficult.
Against all odds
Achieving something despite it being very unlikely.
Jump through hoops
To go through a lot of effort or bureaucracy to do something.
Trial by fire
A very difficult first experience in a new job or situation.
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