Any port in a storm

Any port in a storm is an expression that needs a little explanation. A port is where ships can come in from the sea. So if you imagine being on a ship in a big storm, you can see that finding a port would be good. But we use this expression when we choose something simply because it's necessary. We wouldn't choose it under normal circumstances, only in an emergency, or when no other option is available. This expression is sometimes used humorously. Take a look at the examples and see if you can pick out the the one that the speaker intends to be funny.

You: I really need to use a bathroom.
Your friend: Uh, there really isn't any decent place to stop along here.
You: What about that gas station we just passed?
Your friend: Didn't that look kind of dirty?
You: At this point, it's any port in a storm.


Bob: Did I just see you dancing with James?
Alison: Well, yes.
Bob: Wow.
Alison: I know. But my feeling right now is, any port in a storm!

Like hell

Like hell is an expression which changes depending on how it's used.

If you use it after a verb, it works like an extreme adverb. A few examples:

When the crew saw the bear, they ran like hell. (They ran really fast)

"I closed the door on my finger this morning... It hurt like hell!" (It hurt a lot)

We tried like hell to prevent the highway expansion, but we failed in the end. (We tried really hard)

On the other had, if you use like hell alone, it's an exclamation which means "no way" or "absolutely not." Here we go:

You to your colleague: "Bob's going to tell our boss that we're not going to the offsite because we don't believe in offsites."

Bob to you and your colleague: "Like hell!" (No way, I would never do that.)