The idiom phrase hell of a note is usually used in the more complete expression “That’s a hell of a note” or “What a hell of a note.” It refers to something surprising or unwelcome and is usually used as a complaint. The word “heck” can be substituted for hell for those who are afraid of offending the religious.
While “hell of” can be used with many different words to intensify or describe something very good or very bad, hell of a note is a fixed phrase meant to express surprise or dissatisfaction with an event or situation.
Meaning of Idiom ‘Hell of a Note’
1. When something is a hell of a note, it is surprising in an unwelcome way.
2. Something disappointing.
3. Something that causes anger or frustration.
3. Something not good or not right.
4. Something frustrating.
Sentence Examples
“I finally get a vacation and it’s going to be raining the whole time. That’s a hell of a note!”
“Not a soul around and I locked myself out of my house. What a hell of a note on the weekend.”
“You don’t want to learn guitar? That’s a hell of a note after I just bought you one!”
“I heard about Buck. Just up and left, huh? That’s a hell of a note.”
“They pardoned him after what he did? Hell of a note, isn’t it?”
” Oh there you are! I was beginning to think that you and that old crow ran off together.” “That’d be a hell of a note, wouldn’t it?” Django Unchained (2012)
“Hey, you know something? I’m running out of people to hate. Isn’t that a hell of a note?” Rich Man, Poor Man (1976)
“So you’re saying you’re busted up for good?” “Well, yes, as far as I know.” “Well, that’s a hell of a note.” Mildred Pierce: Part One (2011)
Origin of Phrase Hell of a Note
Used in print as early as 1871, the idiom probably developed during the 1800s, building on the earlier “hell of a” seen since at least 1776. It is not clear what sort of “note” is referred to in the idiom. It may be a reference to a bad musical note, such as one that is out of key, but this is just conjecture. Note, in this idiom, has the idiomatic meaning of “development, incident, happening, circumstance, etc.” while hell of means “very bad.”