1 (usually the Devil) (in Christian and Jewish belief) the supreme spirit of evil; Satan:belief in the Devilthe work of the devil
an evil spirit; a demon:casting out devils
a very wicked or cruel person:they prefer voting for devils than for decent men
(the devil) fighting spirit; wildness:he was dangerous when the devil was in him
(the devil) a thing that is very difficult or awkward to do or deal with:it’s going to be the very devil to disentangle
2 [with adjective] informal a person with specified characteristics:the cunning old devilyou lucky devil
3 (the devil) expressing surprise or annoyance in various questions or exclamations:‘Where the devil is he?’
4an instrument or machine fitted with sharp teeth or spikes, used for tearing or other destructive work.
5 informal, dated a junior assistant of a barrister or other professional.See also printer's devil.
ზმნა
Universal
1 [no object] informal, dated act as a junior assistant for a barrister or other professional:there is the possibility of devilling for fellow members of the Bar
2 [with object]North American harass or worry (someone):he was deviled by a new-found fear
be a devil!
British informal said when encouraging someone to do something that they are hesitating to do:‘Go on, be a devil and stop being so staid!’
between the devil and the deep blue sea
in a difficult situation where there are two equally unpleasant choices.
devil a ——
archaic not even one or any:the devil a man of you stirred himself over it
the devil can quote scripture for his purpose
proverb people may conceal unworthy motives by reciting words that sound morally authoritative.
[with allusion to the Temptation]
the devil finds work for idle hands to do
proverb if someone doesn’t have enough work to occupy them, they are liable to cause or get into trouble.
the devil looks after his own
proverb success or good fortune often seem to come to those who least deserve it.
a devil of a ——
informal used to emphasize great size or degree:photographic equipment costs a devil of a lot
the devil's dozen
thirteen.
the devil's in the detail
the details of a matter are its most problematic aspect.
the devil's own ——
informal used to emphasize the difficulty or seriousness of something:it was the devil’s own job to get her to give me money
the devil to pay
serious trouble to be dealt with:there was the devil to pay when we got home
every man for himself and the devil take the hindmost