The Devil makes work for idle hands to do

Definitions

• discourage someone
  Advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit

• emphasize the importance of staying busy
  Encourage someone to keep themselves occupied and productive to avoid getting into trouble or mischief

Examples of The Devil makes work for idle hands to do

• Sara had been lying in bed all day, doing nothing productive. Her mother came into her room and said, "The Devil makes work for idle hands to do, Sara. You need to get up and find something to do."

  This is a classic example of the idiom being used to encourage someone to stop being lazy and find something productive to do, as the speaker believes that if Sara continues to be idle, she will find herself with work to do that is unwanted and unpleasant, as if it is being imposed on her by some malevolent force.

• Marco had been fired from his job for poor performance. He felt empty and lost, and had been spending most of his days sitting around his apartment, watching TV and playing video games. His friend Rose noticed this and said, "Marco, I know you're feeling down, but the Devil makes work for idle hands to do. If you keep wasting your time, you'll find yourself with nothing but more work to do."

  In this example, the idiom is being used to remind Marco that he needs to take action and find productive things to do, as the "work" that the Devil will impose on him if he remains idle will be more than he can handle.

• Rachel had been struggling with writer's block for weeks. She had a deadline looming and was becoming increasingly frustrated and panic-stricken. She went for a walk in the park, thinking that fresh air might help jolt her creativity. As she sat on a bench, watching the leaves drift lazily by, she suddenly realized that the Devil makes work for idle hands to do. She started to write, compelled by the newfound sense of urgency and purpose, and was able to meet her deadline with ease.

  Here, the idiom is being used to describe how Rachel's idleness had begun to compound itself, as she had been avoiding her work for so long that the "work" she now had to do had grown into a massive, insurmountable burden that she could barely begin to tackle. But once she took action and started working, the "work" that the Devil had imposed on her seemed less daunting and more like a challenge to be faced head-on.

• As the clock struck midnight, the partygoers began to filter out of the club, bleary-eyed and half-drunk. Carmen, who had been dancing on the floor all night, suddenly noticed how empty the place had become. She realized that the Devil makes work for idle hands to do, and that if she stayed any longer, she would find herself with cleanup work that she didn't want to do. She hurried out of the club, the sound of the bass still pounding in her ears, and headed home to collapse into bed.

  Here, the idiom is being used to describe how Carmen, who had been enjoying herself at the party, suddenly realized that staying any longer might mean having to do work that she didn't want to do, as if the "work" was being imposed on her by some unseen force. By leaving the party as soon as she did, she was able to avoid this work and go home to sleep, thus avoiding even more "work" the following day.

• Jamie had been feeling restless lately and kept finding chores to do around the house, even when she didn't need to. Her mom jokingly said, "The devil really is making work for idle hands to do with you, girl!"

  This phrase is used to suggest that when someone has a lot of free time on their hands, they can easily find things to do that may not be necessary or productive, as if they are being led astray by an unseen force. It's often used as a lighthearted way to encourage someone to find more meaningful or productive ways to spend their time.

• Marcus had been out of work for several months and had applied to dozens of jobs without any success. His friends started to suspect that he was losing his edge and said, "Looks like the devil himself is making work hard for you to find!"

  The phrase can also be used to suggest that someone is facing undue hardship or obstacles in their search for work or other opportunities, as if some outside force is conspiring against them. This can be a way to commiserate with someone who is struggling in their job search and provide a sense of solidarity.

• Emily had been putting off studying for her exams and had started to feel overwhelmed by the amount of work she had left to do. Her roommate quipped, "I think the devil himself has marked this pile of textbooks as 'to be read' for you!"

  This use of the phrase is more lighthearted and humorous, as it implies that someone has created a large and daunting task for themselves that seems almost impossible to complete. It can be a way to poke fun at someone's procrastination habits or to acknowledge the difficulty of a task.

• Anna had noticed that her cousin seemed to be spending a lot of time on social media and playing video games instead of working on her own projects. Her aunt mused, "Well, I guess the devil's keeping your cousin occupied these days!"

  This use of the phrase suggests that someone is wasting their time on less productive pursuits, as if they are somehow being led astray by an unseen force. It can be a gentle way to encourage someone to focus more on their own goals and projects.

Conclusion

The idiom "The Devil makes work for idle hands to do" can be used to discourage someone from engaging in unproductive or potentially harmful activities. It can also be used to emphasize the importance of staying busy and productive to avoid trouble.

Origin of "The Devil makes work for idle hands to do"

The origin of the idiom "The Devil makes work for idle hands to do" can be traced back to the 17th century. It is believed to have originated from the Christian belief that idleness and laziness can lead to sinful behavior. The phrase is a warning to people to stay busy and active, as idle hands can lead to mischief and wrongdoing. It is often used as a cautionary reminder to stay productive and avoid getting into trouble. The idiom has been passed down through generations and is still commonly used today to encourage diligence and hard work.

Example: The proverb "The Devil finds work for idle hands to do" is thought to be of English origin. It first appears in the play "The Cobbler of Preston" (The Devil finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do) by the English writer Christopher Bullock (c.1650-1715).