Devil's advocate Meaning in English

expression

US

UK

Definition

A person who argues against something for the sake of debate, even if they do not actually disagree, in order to test an idea or find weaknesses.

Usage & Nuances

An idiom used mostly in discussions or debates. Often introduced as 'I'll play devil's advocate.' Not an insult, but can seem confrontational if the intent isn't clear. Used in formal and informal contexts.

• Spanish: abogado del diablo
• Portuguese (BR): advogado do diabo
• Portuguese (PT): advogado do diabo
• Chinese (Simplified): 唱反调的人 - 故意提出反对意见的人
• Chinese (Traditional): 唱反調的人 - 故意提出反對意見的人
• Hindi: विरोध में तर्क करने वाला
• Arabic: محامي الشيطان
• Bengali: ডেভিল'স অ্যাডভোকেট - বিপরীত যুক্তি উপস্থাপনকারী
• Russian: адвокат дьявола
• Japanese: 悪魔の代弁者
• Vietnamese: người phản biện (để tranh luận) - vai trò 'devil's advocate'
• Korean: 악마의 옹호자
• Turkish: şeytanın avukatı
• Urdu: شیطان کا وکیل
• Indonesian: advokat iblis - pihak penguji argumen

Example Sentences

Sometimes it's important to play devil's advocate in meetings.

basic

Don't be mad—I'm just being a devil's advocate to challenge your thinking.

natural

He acted as a devil's advocate to help us see the other side.

basic

She likes being a devil's advocate during class discussions.

basic

Let me play devil's advocate for a minute: what if this plan fails?

natural

Whenever we're too quick to agree, someone should play devil's advocate.

natural