PhrasesHub

Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard

    Definitions

      • to be in a difficult situation
        To be facing a challenging or perilous situation, often used in a humorous or exaggerated way to express a sense of being overwhelmed or out of control.

      • to have a troublesome or troublesome person in one's life
        To have a difficult or troublesome person in one's life, often used to describe someone who causes constant problems or disruptions.

    Examples of Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard

    • The CEO's management style is like Beelzebub's devil sideboard - chaotic and unsettling.

      The CEO's management style is so difficult and stressful that it is comparable to the chaos and unease that comes with having a devil as a sideboard. The idiom highlights the negative impact that the CEO's style has on the workplace environment, making it an uncomfortable and unsettling experience for employees.

    • The politician's campaign strategy is as devilish as Beelzebub's sideboard - cunning and deceptive.

      The politician's campaign strategy is similarly cunning and deceptive as having a devil as a sideboard. This idiom suggests that the politician's tactics for winning the election may be questionable, much like how having a devil as a sideboard may cause some discomfort or unease. It implies that the politician's methods are not entirely above board and that they may not be completely trustworthy.

    • The salesperson's persuasion technique is as persuasive as Beelzebub's devil sideboard - irresistible and seductive.

      The salesperson's persuasion technique is so alluring and captivating that it's comparable to having a devil as a sideboard. This idiom highlights the magnetic appeal that the salesperson's style has, much like how having a devil as a sideboard is both seductive and slightly dangerous. It suggests that the salesperson's influence is difficult to resist, similar to the way someone might be drawn to a devil's temptations.

    • The team's performance in the recent game was so terrible that it was as if Beelzebub himself had a devil for a sideboard and was serving up error after error on the pitch.

      This idiom is being used here to emphasize the severity of the team's mistakes in the game. The figure of speech suggests that the team's errors were so plentiful and horrendous that it was as if they were being intentionally caused by an evil figure like Beelzebub, which is a metaphor for something or someone that is fundamentally evil or wicked. Furthermore, the expression of "sideboard" is used here metaphorically, implying a place where things are kept and accessed when needed, but in this example, since the team's mistakes were unceasing, it's being used as if one could serve up errors, which is highly unlikely in reality. Overall, the usage of this idiom here does an excellent job of capturing the seriousness and the extent of the team's devastating performance.

    • The trail of corruption left by the politician in question was so pervasive and insidious that it was as if Beelzebub himself had a devil for a sideboard, and he was letting his wicked minions openly operate beneath his very nose.

      This idiom is being used here to showcase the severity of the extent and nature of political corruption. It compares the corrupt politician's activities to those of Beelzebub, a figure often associated with evil and devilry. Furthermore, the expression of "sideboard" in this context implies that the politician in question is aware of the corrupt activities being carried out beneath him, but he is allowing them to proceed anyway, almost as if he is serving up evil and corruption. This use of the idiom is effective in emphasizing the extent of the corruption and how it is embedded and ingrained into certain political institutions.

    • The constant delays and setbacks in the construction of the new highway were as if Beelzebub himself had a devil for a sideboard, and he was actively working against the project.

      This use of the idiom is metaphorical and is being used here to emphasize the obstacles and difficulties that the construction of the new highway encountered. The expression of "sideboard" is used here metaphorically since it signifies a place where things are kept and accessed when needed, but in this case, it's being used as if one could serve up delays and setbacks, which is unlikely in reality. This figurative language highlights the persistence of the challenges faced by the builders, making it seem as though there's an evil force actively working against the project.

    • The constant mistakes and errors made by the assistant during the team's presentation were as if Beelzebub himself had a devil for a sideboard, and he was intentionally working against the team's success.

      This use of the idiom is being used here to emphasize the extent of the assistant's errors during the presentation. It compares the assistant's poor performance to that of Beelzebub, which is a figure often associated with evil and devilry. Furthermore, the expression of "sideboard" here implies that the errors being made are being deliberately caused by an evil force, almost as if the assistant is serving up errors, which is highly unlikely in reality. By using this idiom, the speaker is highlighting the severity and extent of the assistant's mistakes, emphasizing the severity of the situation.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard" is used to convey a sense of being in a difficult or troublesome situation, whether it be a literal situation or a figurative one. It can also refer to having a troublesome person in one's life, adding to the already challenging situation.

    Origin of "Beelzebub has a devil for a sideboard"

    The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Bible, specifically to the New Testament and the Gospel of Matthew. In this gospel, Jesus is accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the ruler of demons. This accusation is refuted by Jesus, who says that it is not possible for Satan to cast out Satan and that a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.

    Over time, this biblical reference evolved into the idiom we know today, with "Beelzebub" being used as a synonym for the devil or evil in general. The addition of "a devil for a sideboard" adds a humorous and exaggerated element to the idiom, emphasizing the idea of being in a difficult or troublesome situation. It is often used in a playful or sarcastic tone, making light of a challenging situation.