blue devils

American  

plural noun

1. low spirits; depression.

2. delirium tremens.

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blue devils British  

plural noun

1. a fit of depression or melancholy

2. an attack of delirium tremens

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Etymology

Origin of blue devils

First recorded in 1780–90

Example Sentences

"The only place in Trinidad and Tobago, and by extension the world, where you can find blue devils come Carnival Monday, is Paramin," Curdell says.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2024

"I really feel the initiatives that we're taking now, to bring the community together, will increase the traffic we have with blue devils."

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2024

Their group has organised workshops, where youngsters can come to learn about blue devils and other aspects of Carnival, including wire-bending to make costumes.

From BBC • Feb. 11, 2024

In each of the blurbs below, we’ve given our take on what would happen if, say, a group of blue devils ran across some mountain hawks in a dark alley.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2012

Even your friend Jack Price seems moped and out of sorts, and goes about singing, 'The heart that once truly loves never forgets,' or something like that, enough to give a fellow the blue devils.

From A Charming Fellow, Volume II (of 3) by Trollope, Frances Eleanor