devil
noun uk/ˈdev.əl/ us/ˈdev.əl/
(EVIL BEING)
B2 [ C ]魔鬼，恶魔，妖魔
an evil being, often represented in human form but with a tail and horns
the devil[ S ] (often the Devil) （基督教和犹太教中与上帝为敌的）魔鬼，撒旦
a powerful evil force and the enemy of God in Christianity and Judaism
- More examples
- Gothic churches are full of devils and grotesque figures.
- One survivor described his torturers as devils incarnate.
- The devil was painted with horns and cloven hoofs.
(PERSON)
C2 [ C ] informal坏蛋，淘气鬼，捣蛋鬼（尤指孩子）
someone, especially a child, who behaves badly
Those little/young devils broke my window. 那些小淘气鬼打破了我的窗户。
[ C ] informal humorous鬼东西，死鬼（指故意做人们不喜欢的事情的人）
a person who enjoys doing things people might disapprove of
"I'm going to wear a short black skirt and thigh-length boots." "Ooh, you devil!" “我打算穿一条黑色短裙和过膝长靴。”“噢，你这个作死鬼！”
Have another slice of cake - go on, be a devil! 再吃一块蛋糕——吃吧，豁出去了！
[ C ] informal（与形容词连用表示对某人的看法）人，家伙
used with an adjective to describe someone and express your opinion about something that has happened to them
I hear you've got a new car, you lucky devil! 我听说你弄了一辆新汽车，你这个走运的家伙！
He's been ill for weeks, poor devil. 他已病了好几个星期了，可怜的家伙。
- More examples
- He's a sly old devil - I wouldn't trust him with my money.
- André's got a new job, the lucky devil.
Idioms
be between the devil and the deep blue seaidiom 进退维谷，左右为难
to have two choices that are both equally unpleasant or not convenient
the devil finds work for idle handsidiom saying 无事之徒易犯事儿
said to show that you believe people who have nothing to do are more likely to get into trouble or commit a crime
the devil to payidiom old-fashioned （会带来）严重后果、困难、惩罚、烦恼等
a lot of trouble, difficulty, punishment, anger, etc.
If he catches you going through his drawers there'll be the devil to pay! 如果他发现你翻他的抽屉，你会有大麻烦的。
the devil's ownidiom old-fashioned 极为困难的；极坏的
extremely difficult or bad
We had the devil's own job/time finding the place! 我们找这个地方可费了不少周折／时间！
(to) give the devil his dueidiom 平心而论，说句公道话
said when you admit that someone you do not like or admire does have some good qualities
I don't like the man but - give the devil his due - he works incredibly hard. 我不喜欢那个人，可是平心而论，他干起活儿来真是特别卖力。
go to the devilidiom old-fashioned 去死吧，见鬼去吧
something you say to someone annoying or bad to tell them to go away for ever
speak/talk of the devilidiom 说到某人，某人就到
something you say when the person you were talking about appears unexpectedly
Did you hear what happened to Anna yesterday - oh, speak of the devil, here she is. 你听说安娜昨天出的那件事了吗——噢，说曹操，曹操就到了。
the/a devil of a somethingidiom old-fashioned 极为困难的；极其严重的
an extremely difficult or serious type of something
a devil of a mess/problem 极为混乱的局面／极其严重的问题
We had the devil of a job/time trying to find this place! 我们找这个地方可费了不少周折／时间！
what/where/how/why the devilidiom old-fashioned informal （用于强调问题）到底，究竟
used to give emphasis to a question
What the devil are you doing? 你到底在干什么？
Where the devil have you been? 你究竟去了哪里？