phrase🎓 English idiom

speak of the devil

the person we were talking about just appeared

What it means

Said when a person you were just talking about suddenly appears or contacts you. It's a friendly, often humorous remark to acknowledge the coincidence.

Examples

  • Speak of the devil, here's Tom now, we were just discussing you.
  • We were talking about Sarah when, speak of the devil, she called.
  • Speak of the devil, I was just about to mention your new car.
  • Well, speak of the devil, look who just walked through the door.

Where it comes from

A shortened form of the old proverb 'speak of the devil and he will appear', dating to the 16th and 17th centuries, when naming the devil was thought to summon him. Over time it lost its superstitious weight and became playful.

Related idioms

#out of the blue#let the cat out of the bag#spill the beans#break the ice

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