Hell-bent and Hell-for-leather

Hell-bent and Hell-for-leather Hell-bent and Hell-for-leather Hell-bent and Hell-for-leather By Maeve Maddox A reader has asked about the expression hell-bent for leather. The expression fuses â€Å"hell-bent† with another expression, â€Å"hell-for-leather.† The bent in hell-bent is the past participle of the verb to bend, a word with at least 23 definitions in the OED. To be â€Å"bent on something† is to be determined to do a specific thing. Ex. He was bent upon becoming Prime Minister. She was bent on proving him wrong. One of the meanings of â€Å"to bend† is â€Å"to go in a certain direction.† Literally, then, to be â€Å"hell-bent† would mean â€Å"going in the direction of hell.† The way we use it, to be â€Å"hell-bent on something† means to be wholeheartedly determined to get something done. The OED gives these citations: 1731 Ab-origines in Arms..did then resort, In Haste to Susquehanna Fort, Hell bent on Thoughts of Massacree. 1835 A large encampment of savages,..‘hell-bent on carnage’. 1891The state of Texas, or at least its legislature, went hell-bent for the reform of railroads. The OED defines â€Å"hell-bent† as both adjective and adverb: hell-bent: adj.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Usually in predicative use, with on, upon, or infinitive. Determined to achieve something at all costs; passionately or recklessly intent. hell-bent: adv.  Ã‚  In a hell-bent manner; with no effort or resources spared; all out, wholeheartedly, totally; determinedly, doggedly. The expression hell-for-leather means at â€Å"breakneck speed, very fast† and was originally used with reference to riding on horseback. It may have originated with Kipling. The earliest citation in the OED is from an 1889 Kipling story, â€Å"The Valley of the Shadow.† CAPT. M. (Jealously) Then dont say it! Leave him alone. Its not bad enough to croak over. Here, Gaddy, take the chit to Bingle and ride hell-for-leather. Itll do you good. I cant go. JUNIOR CHAPLAIN. (Flicking M.s charger.) Thatll do, thanks. Turn in, Gadsby, and Ill bring Bingle backahemhell-for-leather. The fused expression hell-bent for leather (1926) is apparently an American coinage that fuses hell-bent with hell-for-leather and means â€Å"recklessly fast.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Expressions category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:36 Adjectives Describing Light3 Cases of Complicated Hyphenation10 Functions of the Comma