THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Speak of the devil
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
An expression used when someone you have just been talking about appears unexpectedly.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Speak of the devil—here is Anika, just as we were discussing her artwork.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
________—here is Anika, just as we were discussing her artwork.
Show the answer
Speak of the devil — An expression used when someone you have just been talking about appears unexpectedly.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Speak of the devil” about your own life.
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Does your sentence match this meaning?
An expression used when someone you have just been talking about appears unexpectedly.
Compare: Speak of the devil—here is Anika, just as we were discussing her artwork.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this informal expression playfully when the person being discussed arrives. It usually suits friendly company; just saying we were talking about you is clearer in a formal situation.
More examples in context
- We were wondering whether Ravi would join us. Speak of the devil, there he is!
- Speak of the devil! We were just saying how useful your workshop was.
Usage note
The expression does not literally accuse the arriving person of being evil. Talk of the devil is a variation. Use it when someone appears unexpectedly during or just after a conversation about them.
A short conversation
A: Do you know when Tara will arrive?
B: Speak of the devil! She has just come through the door.
A: Hi, Tara. We were wondering where you were.
One more practice question
When does “speak of the devil” fit?
A. You are discussing a friend and that friend unexpectedly arrives.
B. You have not mentioned a person and do not see them.
Check your answer
A. The phrase marks the coincidence between mentioning someone and their unexpected appearance.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.