be a devil

English

Interjection

be a devil

1. (UK, informal) Used to encourage someone to do something when they are unsure whether they should.
   • 1967, Encounter - Volume 29, page 95:

     Just after a woman announcer had read the weather forecast before the BBC's 10 o'clock radio news last night a man was heard to say: “Go on. Be a devil. Give us a bit." The BBC was inundated with calls and letters wishing the happy couple every happiness in their future together.

   • 1987, Susan Musgrave, The Dancing Chicken: A Novel, page 48:

     You don't need to lose any, but try it. Be a devil.

   • 1995, Freda Bream, Sealed and Despatched, page 107:

     I used to say to him, “Wouldn't you care for a sandwich just today, Mr Main? Come on, be a devil. Strike new ground. '

Further reading

• “be a devil”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
• “be a devil”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “be a devil” in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, Longman.
• “be a devil” (UK) in Macmillan English Dictionary.

Anagrams

• diveable, evadible