# play devil's advocate

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/play-devils-advocate
Updated: 2026-06-07

## Meaning

To argue the opposite

## Examples

- I will play devil's advocate to help you think of new ideas.
- Even though he agreed with the plan, he played devil's advocate to make sure they considered every possible risk.
- The professor often plays devil's advocate during seminars, challenging his students' assumptions to encourage deeper critical thinking and more robust arguments.

## Origin

From the Catholic Church's advocatus diaboli, the official appointed to argue against a candidate's canonisation as a saint (office formalised in 1587). (disputed)

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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.