What's the meaning of the phrase 'Speak of the Devil'? A reference to someone who appears unexpectedly while being talked about. What's the origin of the phrase 'Speak of the Devil'? This phrase is used to acknowledge the coincidence of someone arriving at a scene just at the time that they are being talked about.

SPEAK/TALK OF THE DEVIL definition: 1. something you say when the person you were talking about appears unexpectedly: 2. something you…. Learn more.

Speak of the devil" is the short form of the English-language idiom "Speak of the devil and he doth appear" (or its alternative form "speak of the devil and he shall appear"). The form "talk of the devil" is also in use in the United Kingdom. [1] It is used when an object of discussion unexpectedly becomes present during the conversation.

2025年1月30日 · The meaning of SPEAK/TALK OF THE DEVIL is —used in speech to say that someone one has been talking about has unexpectedly appeared. How to use speak/talk of the devil in a sentence.

2020年7月1日 · This phrase, in its current usage, is a lighthearted way of referring to someone who has unexpectedly come in when being talked about, however, prior to the 20th century, it wasn’t a lighthearted one. The full form of this phrase is “Speak of the Devil and he will appear”, and was meant to warn people not to talk about the Devil.

An acknowledgment of a person who has arrived just as or after they were being discussed. (A shortened variation of the longer, more common proverb, "speak of the devil, and he shall/will/is sure to appear.") John: "Hey everyone, sorry I'm late!" Dave: "Well, talk of the devil! I was just telling them about something funny you said the other day."

The idiom “speak of the devil” is a commonly used phrase in English that refers to an unexpected arrival or appearance of someone who has just been mentioned. The origins and historical context of this idiom can be traced back to ancient superstitions and beliefs.

What Does the Idiom Speak of the Devil Mean? The idiom speak of the devil is used when a person coincidentally arrives who has just been the subject of conversation. The idiom is actually a shortened version of the phrase: speak of the Devil, and he will appear.

The idiom ‘speak of the devil’ is used when someone appears just after being mentioned. It is often used humorously or as an expression of surprise when the person being talked about unexpectedly shows up. The phrase implies a superstitious belief that talking about someone, especially in a negative context, might summon them.

“Speak of the devil” is one of the most flexible idioms in the English language. It can be written into a dialogue that’s meant humorously, superstitiously, cruelly, or simply as an observation.