all hell has broken loose

[meliss]

"The television in their suite was on, though no one paid much attention until a news bulletin and that grating “all hell has broken loose” music appeared on the screen."

I was googling for the “all hell has broken loose” music, and found that this is a common expression, but I didn't find the meaning of it. Could you help me, please?

 

[emsr2d2]

"All hell has broken loose" means "there is complete chaos" or "something absolutely disastrous has happened [and there is ensuing chaos]". Adding the word "music" to the end suggests that there is a particular type of music which is played on a TV news bulletin whenever there is a big story about "all hell breaking loose".

 

[bhaisahab]

I'm wondering how music of any kind could appear on a TV screen.

 

[emsr2d2]

I'm wondering how music of any kind could appear on a TV screen.

Fair point, though I guess it was the news bulletin which appeared on the screen, accompanied by the music. I can't say I associate any kind of music with disaster stories on the news. There is a short theme tune before the news broadcast starts but no music during it.

 

[BobK]

"All hell has broken loose" means "there is complete chaos" or "something absolutely disastrous has happened [and there is ensuing chaos]". Adding the word "music" to the end suggests that there is a particular type of music which is played on a TV news bulletin whenever there is a big story about "all hell breaking loose".

:up:

b
PS (And when Milton wrote it, in Paradise Lost, He was talking about Hell [the place and the demons in it] ;-))

 

[Tdol]

I can't say I associate any kind of music with disaster stories on the news.

They play a sound in Japan when an earthquake occurs big enough for them to flash the statistics on screen, but it's calm rather than all hell breaking loose. Some Blackberries play a similar sound when a message is received.