speak of the devil
Meaning
Said when the person you were just talking about unexpectedly appears or contacts you.
Origin
A shortened form of the older proverb “Speak of the Devil and he shall appear,” recorded from at least the 17th century. It draws on the superstition that mentioning the Devil could summon him.
Notes
A light, joking remark when someone you were discussing shows up. Can sound rude if the person overhears, so avoid in formal settings or with superiors.
Examples
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Speak of the devil—were we just talking about you?
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I was complaining about my internet provider, and speak of the devil, their support agent called me.
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We mentioned your name a minute ago, and speak of the devil, here you are.
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Speak of the devil, I was about to text you when you walked in.
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I didn’t expect to see Mark today, but speak of the devil, he just showed up at the door.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as a fixed exclamation: “Speak of the devil!” Often followed by “—here he/she is.” Rarely inflected; you don’t typically say “speaking of the devil” in the idiomatic sense (that phrase usually means “on that topic”).
Synonyms
- well, look who it is
- talk of the devil
- speak of the devil and he shall appear
Antonyms
- out of the blue (opposite situation: not expected/mentioned)