Felt like the dickens

Posted by Miri Barak on June 19, 2005

I would like to know the exact meaning of this expression: Felt like the dickens
in this context. a helicopter crew is looking for a survivor in the water:

One of the crew says:
"He was nowhere to be seen.
I felt like the dickens right then".

Thank you very much

• Felt like the dickens ESC 19/June/05
  • Felt like the dickens Miri Barak 19/June/05