[in sing.](informal, dated)used for emphasis, euphemistically invoking the Devil (非正式,旧,婉)[用于加重语气]着魔 they work like the dickens. 他们着了魔似的工作。 she was in a dickens of a rush. 她要命似的急急忙忙。 ■(the dickens)used when asking questions to express annoyance or surprise [用于问句中表示恼怒或吃惊]究竟,到底 what the dickens is going on?. 到底发生了什么事?。
语源
late 16th cent.: probably a use of the surname Dickens