speak of the devil
idiom/spiːk əv ðə ˈdɛvəl/
🔊 listen
Speak of the devil is said when a person you were just talking about suddenly appears. It's a light, surprised remark — the full old saying is 'speak of the devil and he shall appear.' Usually friendly and good-humoured.
📖 Meanings
1said when someone you were just discussing shows up
"Speak of the devil — we were just talking about you!" — What a coincidence — we were just talking about you!
2a surprised remark about perfect timing
"And speak of the devil, here comes Tom now." — And right on cue, here comes Tom now.
🔄 Related phrases
💬 Common patterns
speak of the devil!well, speak of the deviland speak of the devil
❓ Someone you were just discussing walks in. What do you say?