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devil noun [ ˈdɛv(ə)l ]

• (in Christian and Jewish belief) the supreme spirit of evil; Satan.
• "belief in the Devil"
• a person with specified characteristics.
• "the cunning old devil"
Similar: wretch, unfortunate, creature, soul, person, fellow, thing, beggar, bastard, sod, bugger,
• expressing surprise or annoyance in various questions or exclamations.
• "‘Where the devil is he?’"
• an instrument or machine fitted with sharp teeth or spikes, used for tearing or other destructive work.
• a junior assistant of a barrister or other professional.

devil verb

• act as a junior assistant for a barrister or other professional.
• "there is the possibility of devilling for fellow members of the Bar"
• harass or worry (someone).
• "he was deviled by a new-found fear"
Origin: Old English dēofol (related to Dutch duivel and German Teufel ), via late Latin from Greek diabolos ‘accuser, slanderer’ (used in the Septuagint to translate Hebrew śāṭān ‘Satan’), from diaballein ‘to slander’, from dia ‘across’ + ballein ‘to throw’.

be a devil!

• said when encouraging someone to do something that they are hesitating to do.
"‘Go on, be a devil and stop being so staid!’"

between the devil and the deep blue sea

• in a difficult situation where there are two equally unpleasant choices.

devil a —

• not even one or any.
"the devil a man of you stirred himself over it"

the devil can quote scripture for his purpose

• people may conceal unworthy motives by reciting words that sound morally authoritative.

the devil finds work for idle hands to do

• if someone doesn't have enough work to occupy them, they are liable to cause or get into trouble.

the devil looks after his own

• success or good fortune often seem to come to those who least deserve it.

a devil of a —

• used to emphasize great size or degree.
"photographic equipment costs a devil of a lot"

the devil's dozen

• thirteen.

the devil's in the detail

• the details of a matter are its most problematic aspect.

the devil's own —

• used to emphasize the difficulty or seriousness of something.
"it was the devil's own job to get her to give me money"

devil take the hindmost

• everyone should (or does) look after their own interests, without regard for the fate of others.
"full speed ahead and the devil take the hindmost"

the devil to pay

• serious trouble to be dealt with.
"there was the devil to pay when we got home"

give the devil his due

• if someone or something generally considered bad or undeserving has any redeeming features these should be acknowledged.

go to the devil!

• said in angry rejection or condemnation of someone.
"it's anybody's right to go to the devil in his or her own way!"

like the devil

• with great speed or energy.
"he drove like the devil"

play the devil with

• have a damaging or disruptive effect on.
"this brandy plays the devil with one's emotions!"

speak of the devil

• said when a person appears just after being mentioned.



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