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The Devil Incarnate

    Definitions

      • describe someone as extremely wicked or evil
        To express extreme disapproval of someone's actions or character, often in a dramatic or exaggerated manner

      • emphasize someone's mischievous or troublemaking nature
        To highlight someone's tendency to cause problems or create chaos, often in a playful or teasing way

    Examples of The Devil Incarnate

    • "John's rage transformed him into The Devil Incarnate. His eyes blazed with fury, his fists clenched, and his voice thundered through the room. It seemed as if every demon in hell had possessed his body."

      The idiom "The Devil Incarnate" is used here to describe someone who is exhibiting an extreme and frightening level of anger or rage. The phrase essentially means that the person has become a living embodiment of evil, similar to how people traditionally associate the devil with evilness. In this example, the idiom is used in a descriptive context, painting a vivid picture of John's intense anger.

    • "In the midst of the hurricane, the wind howled like The Devil Incarnate. It lashed out at anything that dared cross its path, tearing trees apart as if they were nothing but twigs."

      The idiom "The Devil Incarnate" is used here to describe the intense power and destructive nature of the wind during a hurricane. In this example, the idiom is used in a figurative context, magnifying the wind's violence by comparing it to a mythical figure often associated with sin and chaos.

    • "The police officer was fed up with the thief's antics. 'You're The Devil Incarnate,' he growled, 'and I'm gonna catch you.' The thief just laughed and ran off, knowing full well that the police officer's wrath was nothing compared to the joys of stealing."

      The idiom "The Devil Incarnate" is used here to describe the target of the police officer's anger, who is seen as a particularly malicious and cunning criminal. In this example, the idiom is used in a conversational context, where the police officer is speaking directly to the thief and trying to intimidate him through the use of this vivid metaphor.

    • "Samantha's jealousy turned her into The Devil Incarnate. She spread malicious rumors about her friend, hacked into her email, and even stole her boyfriend. Her friends tried to intervene, but she just laughed, saying 'You'll never understand what it's like to be The Devil Incarnate.'"

      The idiom "The Devil Incarnate" is used here to describe the extent of Samantha's jealousy, which has consumed her to the point where she is behaving in an incredibly malicious and destructive way. In this example, the idiom is used in a descriptive context, where Samantha's behavior is being vividly portrayed as a kind of demonic possession that leaves her thinking and acting in a particularly evil way.

    • The greedy CEO, who manipulated the company's finances to benefit himself, was dubbed "The Devil Incarnate" by his disgruntled employees.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who embodies the characteristics of the devil, such as cunningness, malice, and evilness. In this example, the CEO's actions have caused great harm to the company and its employees, making him a figure of hatred and disgust, just as the devil is perceived in popular culture.

    • The movie villain, with his piercing eyes and menacing demeanor, was an incarnation of the devil himself, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is so frightening and malevolent that they seem to be a supernatural being, like the devil. In this example, the villain's frightening persona and actions create a sense of terror and unease, as if he were a devilish character from a horror movie.

    • The notorious gang leader, who commanded his followers with an iron fist and ruled his turf with ruthless cruelty, was known as "The Devil Incarnate" by his rival gangs.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who is so ruthless and cruel that they seem to be a figure of supernatural evil, like the devil. In this example, the gang leader's brutal tactics and ruthless behavior have earned him a reputation as a feared and terrifying figure, just as the devil is believed to be.

    • The natural disaster, with its destructive force and devastating impact, was a living embodiment of the devil's wrath.

      This idiom is used to describe someone or something that is so destructive and dangerous that it seems to be a supernatural force, like the devil's wrath. In this example, the natural disaster's devastating impact has caused immense loss of life and property, making it a symbol of supernatural evil and terror, just as the devil is believed to cause.


    Conclusion

    "The Devil Incarnate" is a strong and dramatic idiom used to describe someone as extremely wicked or evil. It can also be used to emphasize someone's mischievous or troublemaking nature in a playful or teasing way. This idiom is often used in a figurative sense to express extreme disapproval of someone's actions or character, and it carries a strong negative connotation.

    The idiom is typically used in informal conversations, storytelling, or literary works to convey a strong sense of disapproval or to playfully tease someone about their mischievous nature. It is important to consider the context and tone when using this idiom, as it can come across as overly dramatic or harsh if used inappropriately.

    Origin of "The Devil Incarnate"

    The origin of the idiom "The Devil Incarnate" can be traced back to religious and cultural beliefs about the devil or Satan as the embodiment of evil. The word "incarnate" comes from the Latin "incarnatus," which means "made into flesh." In religious contexts, the idea of the devil or evil being made manifest in human form has been a common theme in folklore, mythology, and literature.

    The use of the idiom "The Devil Incarnate" may have evolved from these religious and cultural beliefs, reflecting a deep-seated fear and disapproval of extreme wickedness or evil. Over time, the idiom has become a powerful and vivid way to express intense disapproval of someone's actions or character, drawing on the strong associations with the devil as the ultimate symbol of evil. Examples of this idiom can be found in literature, folklore, and everyday language, where it continues to convey a sense of extreme negativity and disapproval.