# blue devils

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/blue-devils
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Low spirits; depression.

## Examples

- He has the blue devils today.
- Listening to sad music always brings on the blue devils.
- The long, dark winter often gives her the blue devils, so she tries to stay active.
- After the excitement of the wedding ended and all the guests went home, he felt a sudden case of the blue devils in the empty house.
- Despite his outward success, he frequently struggled with the blue devils, finding it difficult to maintain his composure during the quiet hours of the evening.

## Origin

Attested as a term for melancholy or low spirits by the late 18th century, the phrase originally denoted the terrifying apparitions supposed to be seen by those suffering from delirium tremens. The hallucinations were visualised as distinct demonic entities, their presence indicating a physical and mental collapse that was considered socially inconvenient and medically taxing. By the 19th century, the devilry had been abstracted into a general state of despondency, though the clinical origin remained rooted in the tremors of the severe alcoholic.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.