Devil

between the devil and the deep blue sea

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

all hell will let loose

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

the devil is beating his wife

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

the devil is in the detail

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

idle hands are the devil’s tools

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

speak of the devil

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

devil’s advocate

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

devil may care

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

give the devil his due

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

wind up

Meaning: to be annoyed by someone

Example: My sister really knows how to wind me up. Read on

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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.

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