Collocations for "devil"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "devil" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
devil
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.n
- (come here, oh), you little devil!
- you poor little devil!
- those little devils [threw stones, smashed my window]!
- what the devil do you [want, mean]?
- where the devil [were you, did you get to]?
- [haunted, plagued, possessed] by the devil
- the poor devil didn't know [where she was, what had hit him]
- the devil in disguise
- UK, slang: is a devil to [students, children, the population]
- the devil will [take, claim] their souls
- slang: is a devil [in bed, under the sheets]
- a devil of a [read, movie, dinner]
- had a devil of a [trip, time, vacation]
- the [clutches, claws, grips] of the devil
- escape from the [clutches] of the devil
- make a deal with the devil
- sell your soul to the devil
- there'll be the devil to pay for your [actions, mistakes, behavior]
- idiom: better the devil you know!
- idiom: between the devil and the deep blue sea
- idiom: played the devil with our [plans, ambitions, investments]
- [talk, speak] of the devil!
- is always playing (the) devil's advocate
- loves to play (the) devil's advocate
- sorry, I was just playing devil's advocate
- devil [eggs, peppers, chicken, french fries]
- deviled his [mother, father, parents] for
'devil' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):