hell on wheels
Extremely difficult, unpleasant, or aggressive. That woman is hell on wheels when she's angry, so don't let her into my office. I can already tell that this client is going to be hell on wheels to work for. Steer clear of Mary in Payroll. Until she gets to know you, she's hell on wheels.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
hell on wheels
Tough, aggressive, wild, or mean, as in Watch out for the boss-he's hell on wheels this week. This expression originated with the building of the Union Pacific Railroad in the 1860s, when it denoted the last town on the line, which was carried on freight cars as the track was extended. The town consisted mainly of tents occupied by construction gangs, liquor dealers, gamblers, and other camp followers known for their rough and often vicious ways.
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.
hell-on-wheels
n. a very impressive person or thing; an extreme type of person or thing. (Use caution with hell.) This little machine is hell-on-wheels for general woodworking purposes.
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
hell on wheels
Tough, wild, mean. This expression dates from the mid-1800s, especially during the 1860s construction of the Union Pacific Railroad. As the track was extended into virtual wilderness, freight cars moving forward as track was laid transported a town. It consisted of tents occupied by the construction workers, liquor dealers, gamblers, prostitutes, and other camp followers of a rough and unsavory nature. Hence the town was called “hell on wheels.” Later the term was adapted for any individual or organization considered very aggressive, as in “On Monday mornings my boss is hell on wheels.” It also has been used admiringly, as in “Don’t underestimate her; she’s hell on wheels for getting things done.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer