What does the phrase better the devil you know mean?

Definition of better the devil you know than the devil you don’t. —used to say that it is better to deal with a difficult person or situation one knows than with a new person or situation that could be worse.

Where does the expression better the devil you know come from?

It first appeared in print in 1857 in the novel Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope: “Better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know’ is an old saying, and perhaps a true one, but the bishop had not yet realized the truth of it.”

What does the phrase the devil mean?

Definition of ‘what/how/why the devil’ When you want to emphasize how annoyed or surprised you are, you can use an expression such as what the devil, how the devil, or why the devil. [informal, emphasis] ‘What the devil’s the matter?’

What does dance with the devil you know mean?

To dance with the devil is to engage in risky, reckless, or potentially immoral behavior.

What does in league with the devil mean?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbe in league (with somebody)be in league (with somebody)to be working with someone secretly, especially for a bad purpose Vernon was accused by his enemies of being in league with the devil.

What is the root word of devil?

Etymology. The Modern English word devil derives from the Middle English devel, from the Old English dēofol, that in turn represents an early Germanic borrowing of the Latin diabolus.

Where does the phrase dance with the devil come from?

You can too. “Dancing with the Devil” means “mixing with bad people and putting yourself in a morally vulnerable position.” The phrase is related to the very old saying, ”if you sup with the Devil, you should have a long spoon”. A variation of this is found in one of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, produced in about 1386.

What a rough fellow he must be said his wife with a shiver?

Answer: His wife exclaimed with a shiver that the fellow might be very rough. *The given sentence is in exclamatory,direct speech. *As per the grammar rules it is changed into declarative sentence.

What is the voice change of leave him alone?

Answer: Let him be left alone by you .

What is the meaning of the idiom better the Devil you know?

the devil you know. something or someone bad that you are familiar with and have accommodated yourself to or can cope with. The expression is a shortened version of the proverb ‘Better the devil you know than the one you don’t’.

Which is better the Devil you know or his challenger?

As they say, `Better the devil you know.’ His challenger remains an unknown quantity. Note: This expression comes from the proverb better the devil you know than the devil you don’t.

Is the Devil You know better than the Angel you have never met?

The devil you know is better than the angel you have never met.’ That saying appears to be the guiding principle of leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who are said to be rooting for the return of the national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, ahead of the party’s national convention.

Is Lady Gaga better than the Devil you don’t know?

And we all know what a devil Lady Gaga is when it comes to wicked outfits. The Conservatives held their nerve knowing that the outgoing government usually get a lift when the voters stand in the booth and some decide it’s better the devil you know. As the old saying goes – better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know.