ENGLISH
REFERENCE

play Old Harry

idiom
Meaning

To play the devil; to make mischief.


Examples
SIMPLE

The naughty puppy likes to play Old Harry with my shoes.

CONTEXTUAL

The children decided to play Old Harry in the garden while their parents were busy inside.

COMPLEX

The mischievous group of students sought to play Old Harry with the strict headmaster's carefully organized schedule.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    any old nook or cranny

    Alternative form of any nook or cranny.

  2. 02

    bad old days

    The past, seen as a time when things were worse.

  3. 03

    big old

    Emphatically or impressively big; really big.

  4. 04

    child's play

    Something particularly easy or simple.

  5. 05

    chip off the old block

    Someone who takes after one of their parents; (generally) a person similar to another.

  6. 06

    come the old soldier

    Often followed by with: to deceive, impose upon, or take advantage of someone, as if exploiting one's superior age or experience.

  7. 07

    every old nook and cranny

    Alternative form of every nook and cranny.

  8. 08

    give someone the old heave-ho

    Alternative form of give someone the heave-ho.

Last updated April 17, 2026