the devil

English

Pronunciation

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Adverb

the devil (not comparable)

1. (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

• the devils
• what the devils
• the dickens

Translations

adds emphasis to a question or statement

• Breton: an diaoul
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Portuguese: diabos (pt)

Noun

the devil (uncountable)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see the,‎ devil.