a heck of a

heck of a

1. Quite good or impressive. That was one heck of a party you threw for Kelly. Everyone said they had such a great time. He's a heck of a ballplayer. I wouldn't be surprised if he made it to the pros someday.2. Very difficult. I had a heck of a time trying to change the flat tire. The lug nuts didn't want to budge.See also: heck, of

a heck of a —

used for emphasis in various statements or exclamations. informal Of dialect origin, heck is a late 19th-century euphemism for hell . 1989 Guardian It is not entirely true to say everyone who is anyone has been coached there, but a heck of a lot have. See also: heck, of