(Originally posted March 21, 2006)

"All hell breaks loose"

Defintion: a situation that is suddenly rapidly deteriorating, could be suddenly violent, suddenly chaotic, or both!

Example 1: "At the sound of gunfire in the lobby, all hell breaks loose."
NOTE: People could be running away, not necessarily fighting.

Example 2: "When John punched Sam sitting at the bar, all hell broke loose."
NOTE: People here could be both fighting or fleeing

Origin: First shown up in John Milton's "Paradise Lost", describing the Hell's minions breaking loose.