speak of the devil

Idioms

The person just mentioned has appeared, as in Why, speak of the devil—there's Jeannie. This expression is a shortening of the older Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear, based on the superstition that pronouncing the devil's name will cause his arrival on the scene. The figurative use was already explained in James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721).

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Yunnanese, Mr. Warry tells me, do not readily speak of the devil for fear he should appear.

From An Australian in China Being the Narrative of a Quiet Journey Across China to Burma by Morrison, George Ernest

But as to the Baroness, he dare no longer trouble her!'—Horror seized on me at these words, and I begged of Hermogen, that he never would speak of the devil again.

From The Devil's Elixir Vol. II (of 2) by Hoffmann, E. T. A. (Ernst Theodor Amadeus)

When we speak of the devil, 'tis a name of multitude....

From Woman's Life in Colonial Days by Holliday, Carl

Being in dreadful earnest about our souls, he is of course obliged to speak of the devil; but he never used to hit the harmless pulpit cushion with his fist as he does now.

From The Legacy of Cain by Collins, Wilkie

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023