descent into hell
Journey toward perdition
A descent into hell is a journey to the underworld, appearing across religious and mythological traditions—Christ's descent between crucifixion and resurrection, Orpheus seeking Eurydice, Dante traversing the Inferno.
Figuratively, any harrowing experience of suffering or degradation: His addiction was a slow descent into hell.
The phrase implies both depth and torment, a bottoming out before possible return.
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- eternal damnationEverlasting punishment after death
- infernoDevastating, uncontrollable blaze
- abyssImmeasurably profound depth
- perditionEternal spiritual ruin
underworld · torment · gnashing of teeth · flames · fire and brimstone · suffering · Hades · lake of fire · purgatory · fallen · darkness · demons · fallen angel · sinners · eternal · Orpheus · Dante · spiral
- Harrowing of HellHoly Saturday, hellmouth, victory over death, Adam, Eve
- Paschal Mysterycrucifixion, resurrection, empty tomb, risen Christ, Good Friday
- Jesus lifenativity, baptism of Jesus, crucifixion, resurrection day, ascension
descent into hellrapture
Overwhelming ecstatic feeling
salvation · apotheosis · ascension · resurrection · glorification
descent into hellrags to riches
Dramatic upward social mobility
redemption arc · triumph over adversity · phoenix rising · comeback story · restoration
descent into hellsalvation
Deliverance from harm
redemption · sanctification · spiritual awakening · enlightenment · purification
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