the dickens out of en · ADV
Meanings
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(not-comparable) Used as an intensifier between a verb and its object: thoroughly, with vigour, to an intense degree.
There is claim-jumping galore, murder, robbery, train ride shenanigans, sheriffs, bare fist fights and all the go-withs. Hero John Wayne knocks the dickens out of Randy Scott and finally wins Marlene [Dietrich].
1942 May, “Movie Reviews: The Spoilers”, in Modern Screen, volume 24, number 6, New York, N.Y.: Dell Publishing Co., Inc., page 102:
Relateds
Synonyms
the piss out of · seven hells out of · the living crap out of · seven bells out of · the stuffing out of · the fuckola out of · the hell out of · the dickens out of · the pantaloons off · the heck out of · the shit out of · the living shit out of · the socks off · the bejeebers out of · the devil out of · the flying fuck out of · the snot out of · the life out of · the poop out of · the living daylights out of · the fuck out of · the bejesus out of · the stuffings out of · the crap out of · the daylight out of · the daylights out of · the pants off of · the tar out of · the pants off