the devil
English
Pronunciation
Audio (AU): (file)
Adverb
the devil (not comparable)
- (idiomatic) Used to add emphasis to a question or statement.
- What the devil are you doing here at this time of night?
- 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling:
- “Brother,” said she, “whatever message Mr Blifil thinks proper to send to my niece shall be delivered to her; and I suppose she will want no instructions to make a proper answer. I am convinced she will not refuse to see Mr Blifil at a proper time.”—“The devil she won’t!” answered the squire.
Synonyms
- (intensifier): See Thesaurus:the dickens
Derived terms
Translations
adds emphasis to a question or statement
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