[Idiom] SPEAK OF THE DEVIL. - Harness the Power of Timing: Learn How to Use Spontaneous Moments
Speak of the devil.
/spik əv ðə ˈdɛvəl/
The person we were just talking about has appeared.
Speak of the devil" is used when the person you were just talking about suddenly appears. This idiom captures the coincidence of talking about someone who then shows up unexpectedly. It's often used in a humorous context to highlight the surprise of such timing. The phrase can teach the cultural nuances of language and how expressions can add color and context to everyday conversations, making interactions more engaging and dynamic.
Example Sentences
Oh, speak of the devil, there he is!
This means that the person they were just talking about has appeared unexpectedly.
We were just talking about you, speak of the devil.
It indicates that the person they were just discussing showed up right at that moment.
I mentioned her, and speak of the devil, she walked in.
This means that immediately after she was mentioned in a conversation, she appeared.