liberal as hell

[chitchit]

Dear teachers,
If somebody is described as "liberal as hell", it means they are very liberal or not liberal or what else?
Thank you.

[jamiep]

"As hell" is a very informal term and is equivalent to "very".

In this case it's very liberal.


Contrast this with "like hell, he's liberal" and it means not liberal.

[BobK]

Originally Posted by chitchit

Dear teachers,
If somebody is described as "liberal as hell", it means they are very liberal or not liberal or what else?
Thank you.

jamiep is right on the money (especially on the last point - which I wouldn't have thought of)

I'd add that '... as hell' is typically used as a reinforcer for something bad or unpleasant or unwelcome or uncomfortable. So the person who describes someone else as 'liberal as hell' may not approve of any kind of liberal.

Examples:

'This bed is as lumpy as hell; it's time we bought a new one.'
'This nut is as tight as hell; I think I'm going to have to saw it off.'
'The waiting room was as stuffy as hell; I couldn't wait to get outside and take a breath of fresh air.'

b