speak of the devil

Idioms and Phrases

The person just mentioned has appeared, as in Why, speak of the devil—there's Jeannie . This expression is a shortening of the older Speak of the devil and he's sure to appear , based on the superstition that pronouncing the devil's name will cause his arrival on the scene. The figurative use was already explained in James Kelly's Scottish Proverbs (1721).

Example Sentences

In the weeks since, Francis has alluded to Archbishop Viganò’s letter, to which he has said he will not respond, by speaking of the devil’s role in trying to divide the church.

From New York Times

In the weeks since, Francis has alluded to Viganò’s letter, to which he has said he will not respond, by speaking of the devil’s role in trying to divide the church.

From Seattle Times

The story goes that she had spoken of the devil not long before.

From Wall Street Journal

The name Caocao comes from a Chinese idiom that roughly translates as "speak of the devil".

From Reuters

You speak of the devil as a reality to be confronted.

From Wall Street Journal