Devil
Meaning: between two equally difficult or unacceptable choices.
Example: I am in a pickle. Anything I do is going to cause this situation to turn out bad. I'm really stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. Read on
Meaning: a situation suddenly becomes noisy and violent, usually with a lot of people arguing or fighting
Example: All hell will let loose when the caged animals break out of their cages. Read on
Meaning: raining whereas the sun is shining.
Example: The sunshower is said to occur when the devil is beating his wife in various German-speaking countries. Read on
Meaning: It means that when you do not concentrate on the details of something you may run into unexpected problems
Example: "Have you seen my beautiful new bag? I paid a fortune for it." "Really? It is a fake. The stitching of the original bags is blue, not green." "How disappointing. I guess the devil is in the details." Read on
Meaning: if you have nothing to do, you are likely to do some mischief
Example: All the kids should be kept busy while you are away; idle hands are the devil's tools. Read on
Meaning: when someone comes in unexpectedly while being talked about
Example: We were huddled together in our lunch table, talking about our boss, when he walked in. Well, speak of the devil! Read on
Meaning: one who presents a counter argument
Example: I agree with what you say, but I'll play devil's advocate so that we can cover all the possibilities that may arise. Read on
Meaning: ing: - very casual attitude - worry-free or carefree attitude - reckless - defiant - relaxed and not worried about the results of your actions Examples: 1. The opening batsman's devil-may-care approach may ruin his chances of securing a permanent in the team. 2. She had a rather devil-may-care attitude towards money which impressed me at the time. 3. You must get rid of your devil-may-care attitude if you want to succeed. 4. Jane acts so uncaring with her devil-may-care manner. 5. He has a rather devil-may-care attitude to his studies. Origin: First uses of this idioms was found in about 1765-95. But we do not have correct original details of this idiom, if you do, please post in comment below. Synonyms: careless, reckless, cavalier, unconcerned, free and easy, inattentive, rash, happy-to-go, heedless, foolhardy, easygoing, nonchal
Example: ing: - very casual attitude - worry-free or carefree attitude - reckless - defiant - relaxed and not worried about the results of your actions Examples: 1. The opening batsman's devil-may-care approach may ruin his chances of securing a permanent in the team. 2. She had a rather devil-may-care attitude towards money which impressed me at the time. 3. You must get rid of your devil-may-care attitude if you want to succeed. 4. Jane acts so uncaring with her devil-may-care manner. 5. He has a rather devil-may-care attitude to his studies. Origin: First uses of this idioms was found in about 1765-95. But we do not have correct original details of this idiom, if you do, please post in comment below. Synonyms: careless, reckless, cavalier, unconcerned, free and easy, inattentive, rash, happy-to-go, heedless, foolhardy, easygoing, nonchal Read on
Meaning: give credit to an opponent's merits, grudgingly or not.
Example: I don't like what the new management has done, but give the devil his due, sales have improved. Read on
Idiom of the Day
English Grammar
About
The Idioms Dictionary explains common English idioms that are popular worldwide, especially in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand.