speak of the devil
Meaning: An expression used when someone who is being talked about has just appeared.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Category: The Absurd
Origin: The expression has a slightly negative connotation, because of the reference to the devil, but it is usually meant humorously.
More idioms — The Absurd
- strange bedfellows — People or things that one does not normally expect to find together.
- strike it rich — To make money (sentence 1); or, less literally, to be wildly successful (sentence 2).
- talk a blue streak — To talk fast and at length.
- talk through one's hat — To speak without authority on some topic; to talk nonsense.
- to beat the band — In an exaggerated manner; with a lot of effort or to the extreme.
- to the hilt — To be fully committed to something; to do something completely.
More English idioms
- speak one's mind — To tell someone how one feels or what one thinks.
- speak one's piece — To tell someone how one feels or what one thinks.
- spitting image — An exact likeness.
- split hairs — To argue about some detail that is not important.
- spring something on someone — To surprise someone with something.
- on the spur of the moment — Suddenly or spontaneously; without advance planning.
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