ENGLISH
REFERENCE

speak of the devil and he shall appear

idiom
Meaning

Alternative form of speak of the devil.


Examples
SIMPLE

Speak of the devil and he shall appear, there is John now.

CONTEXTUAL

We were just talking about our boss when he walked in; speak of the devil and he shall appear.

COMPLEX

As they discussed the rival candidate's sudden arrival, the man himself entered the room, proving that speak of the devil and he shall appear remains a fitting observation.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    dance with the devil

    To engage in risky and immoral behavior.

  2. 02

    devil dancing

    Risky, reckless or potentially immoral behavior.

  3. 03

    devil in disguise

    A person or thing that appears to be good, honest, or upstanding, but is inherently nasty, evil, or damaging.

  4. 04

    devil lies in the details

    Synonym of devil is in the details.

  5. 05

    folk devil

    A person or type of person blamed by the public for various ills, as during a moral panic.

  6. 06

    give the devil his due

    To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.

  7. 07

    play the devil with

    To cause great trouble or distress to.

  8. 08

    speak for

    To claim, reserve, or occupy.

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