How to Pronounce "play devil's advocate"
expression
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈdɛvəɫz/ /ˈædvəˌkeɪt/, /ˈædvəkət
PLAY DEV-uhlz AD-vuh-kayt, AD-vuh-kuht
plˈeɪ/ /ˈdɛvəlz/ /ˈæd.və.keɪt
play DEV-uhlz AD-vuh-kayt
Definition
To pretend to disagree with someone or to argue the opposite side of an idea, often to test the strength of an argument or to encourage discussion.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈdɛvəɫz/ /ˈædvəˌkeɪt/, /ˈædvəkət
British English
plˈeɪ/ /ˈdɛvəlz/ /ˈæd.və.keɪt
Simplified Pronunciation
US
PLAY DEV-uhlz AD-vuh-kayt, AD-vuh-kuht
UK
play DEV-uhlz AD-vuh-kayt
Listen in Context
Let me play devil's advocate for a moment and ask, what if this plan doesn't work?
Sometimes it's helpful to play devil's advocate during group discussions.
She likes to play devil's advocate to make sure we consider every side.
I'm going to play devil's advocate here, but what if customers hate the new design?