like a bat out of hell

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

With crazy or excessive intensity or speed.

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

He came tearing around the corner like a bat out of hell and nearly ran us over.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “like a bat out of hell” mean?

With crazy or excessive intensity or speed.

Is “like a bat out of hell” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.