hell-for-leather

[ hel-fer-leth-er ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adjective

characterized by reckless determination or breakneck speed:
The sheriff led the posse in a hell-for-leather chase.

in a hell-for-leather manner; hellbent:
motorcycles roaring hell-for-leather down the turnpike.

First recorded in 1885–90

The sepoys usually swarm out hell-for-leather and we rush to meet them.

When Peggy's father died, Colling was going it hell-for-leather—just about as fast as they're made.

And there she was, galloping into that field, hell-for-leather, unwrapping her long-tailed whip as she came.

Rode hell-for-leather down here to haid off that coyote there—and done it, too.

Another Maronite resented that, and killed a Druse; and they were all at it, hell-for-leather.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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