# speak of the devil

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/speak-of-the-devil
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.

## Examples

- Speak of the devil — here's Tom now!
- We were just talking about you, and — speak of the devil — you walked in.
- I had just told my colleagues how much I admired the new director when, speak of the devil, she appeared in the doorway.

## Origin

Shortened from the 17th-century superstition 'Speak of the Devil and he shall appear', a warning against naming the devil lest you summon him. (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.