emphasis If you say that someone is hell-bent on doing something, you are emphasizing that they are determined to do it, even if this causes problems or difficulties for other people. He accused Ford of being hell-bent on achieving its cuts by whatever means. very determined to do something, especially something that other people do not approve of hell-bent on (doing) sth
[ 'hel ] (noun.) before 12th century. Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English helan to conceal, Old High German helan, Latin celare, Greek kalyptein.