English · Greetings & Phrases
speak of the devil
/spiːk əv ðə ˈdev.l̩/
[/spiːk əv ðə ˈdev.l̩/]
person just mentioned appears
Intermediatephrase
Definition
Said when a person you were just talking about unexpectedly appears.
Example
We were just discussing Tom, and speak of the devil, here he comes walking through the door.
We were just discussing Tom, and speak of the devil, here he comes walking through the door.
Etymology
Shortened from 'speak of the devil and he shall appear', a superstitious 17th-century warning.
How & Where It’s Used
Light-hearted and common when someone mentioned suddenly arrives.