(well,) I'll be hanged!
An expression of surprise or astonishment, especially regarding some recent revelation. Bob: "You know, if you run your washing machine at night you can save a lot of money on your electric bill." John: "I'll be hanged, I never knew that before!" Well, I'll be hanged! Who knew so many people would show up to see our concert? Wait, Lisa's your sister? Well, I'll be hanged—all these years, I had no idea!
I'll be hanged if I (do something)
I am determined not to do something. I'll be hanged if I let some young upstart like you take control of my company! I'll be hanged if I let anyone tell me what to do. They can live their lives any way they want—but leave me alone! No, I read over the instructions three times—I'll be hanged if I make the same mistake again!
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
I'll be hanged
1. I am very surprised, as in, Well, I'll be hanged; there's Susan.
2. I'll be hanged if I. Under no circumstances will I, as in I'll be hanged if I let you do that. Both of these hyperbolic colloquial usages allude to being executed by hanging.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.