devil's advocate

American  

[dev-uhlz ad-vuh-kit] / ˈdɛv əlz ˈæd və kɪt /

noun

1. a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination.

2. Also called Promoter of the Faith.  Roman Catholic Church.  an official appointed to present arguments against a proposed beatification or canonization of a beatus.

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devil's advocate British  

noun

1. a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular view, often for the sake of argument

2. Technical name: promotor fidei.  RC Church the official appointed to put the case against the beatification or canonization of a candidate

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devil's advocate Idioms  

1. One who argues against a cause or position either for the sake of argument or to help determine its validity. For example, My role in the campaign is to play devil's advocate to each new policy before it's introduced to the public. This term comes from the Roman Catholic Church, where advocatus diaboli (Latin for “devil's advocate”) signifies an official who is appointed to present arguments against a proposed canonization or beatification. It was transferred to wider use in the mid-1700s.

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Etymology

Origin of devil's advocate

First recorded in 1750–60; translation of New Latin advocātus diabolī; advocate ( def. ), diabolic ( def. )

Example Sentences

Playing devil’s advocate: He may be responding to a new person in his home who is being kind and helpful.

From MarketWatch

On the contrary, it will encourage students to explore dissenting ideas, even if only as a “devil’s advocate.”

From The Wall Street Journal

A devil’s advocate might argue that these assumptions themselves are a characteristic of a late bull market, when everyone is kicking themselves for not being 100% — or 150% — invested in stocks.

From MarketWatch

So to play devil’s advocate, we’ve already lost to gerrymandering in the U.S. and California just doesn’t know it.

From Los Angeles Times

Sometimes they play devil’s advocate.

From Salon