In league with the devil 🤝😈

Meaning

To be in partnership or have a secret, often nefarious, agreement with evil forces.

Origin

The concept of making a pact with the Devil is ancient, deeply rooted in religious and folklore traditions. Throughout history, particularly during periods of intense religious fervor and fear of witchcraft, stories circulated about individuals who literally sold their souls to the demon in exchange for power, knowledge, or wealth. These tales served as cautionary warnings against temptation and heresy. The phrase implies a profound corruption, suggesting someone has joined forces with the ultimate antagonist, a partnership so dark it could only be with the Prince of Darkness himself.

🔒 secrets 🎭🤥 deception ⛪📖 religious biblical 📜🧚 folklore mythology 👑⚖️ power

In league with the devil represented with emoji🤝😈

This playful juxtaposition of a handshake and a devil emoji, 🤝😈, functions as a delightful shorthand for the idiom "in league with the devil." It cleverly captures the essence of a pact or hidden alliance with malevolent forces, proving that even the most complex understandings can be conveyed with a splash of whimsy. Note how the familiar symbols engage the viewer in a quick, sparkling recognition of meaning.

Examples

  • The villagers feared the sorcerer was in league with the devil, which explained the strange occurrences.
  • When the corrupt politician was finally exposed, many whispered he must have been in league with the devil.
  • The grumpy gnome was accused of being in league with the devil, hoarding all the best mushrooms.
  • The mischievous pixie was definitely in league with the devil, replacing all the sugar with salt in the fairy queen's tea.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'in league with the devil' a modern slang term?

No, the phrase 'in league with the devil' is not modern slang; it originates from deep-seated religious and folklore traditions warning against making pacts with evil.

What is the opposite of being 'in league with the devil'?

The opposite of being 'in league with the devil' would be acting in divine service or being aligned with righteous forces, such as in league with God or heaven.

Does 'in league with the devil' refer to a literal pact?

While the phrase evokes the imagery of literal pacts with the Devil, it is often used metaphorically to describe someone's deeply unethical or corrupt behavior and associations.

Are there specific historical events associated with the phrase 'in league with the devil'?

The phrase draws heavily from historical periods of religious fervor, such as witch trials, where accusations of making pacts with the devil were common and carried severe consequences.

Similar to "in league with the devil"

In cahoots with the devil
Both phrases talk about a shady partnership with evil, but 'in cahoots' whispers of a more conspiratorial, almost playful, collusion, like two shady characters plotting in a smoky backroom
Palling around with demonic forces
Like 'in league with the devil,' this suggests an alliance with evil, but 'palling around' evokes a surprisingly casual, almost buddy-buddy relationship with the infernal, a jarring contrast to the serious pact implied elsewhere
Making a pact with Beelzebub
Both expressions denote a deal with infernal powers, but 'making a pact' feels far more formal and transactional, emphasizing a deliberate, signed contract with a named demon, rather than a general 'league' with evil itself

Opposite of "in league with the devil"

Fighting the good fight
This argues for an active, righteous struggle against evil, directly opposing the idea of joining forces with it; it's the moral stand we take when we refuse to be 'in league with the devil'
Walking in the light
This paints a picture of moral clarity and righteousness, the very antithesis of secret, dark dealings; it suggests an openness and purity that makes any 'league with the devil' utterly unthinkable

Related to "in league with the devil"

Selling one's soul
This phrase shares the ultimate, irreversible consequence of being 'in league with the devil,' highlighting the singular, devastating price for such a dangerous alliance
Faustian bargain
Evoking the classic legend, this phrase speaks to the specific type of deal often implied when someone is 'in league with the devil' – a noble ambition traded for dark power
Working for the man upstairs
This is often used ironically to mean the opposite of being 'in league with the devil,' referring to a powerful, often unseen, authority figure, but it shares the idea of being beholden to a higher power
The devil's advocate
While not about an alliance, this phrase places the devil in a conversational, almost argumentative role, showing up in discussions of morality where one might also discuss being 'in league' with darker forces
Unholy alliance
This captures the essence of being 'in league with the devil' by describing any unprincipled or sacrilegious partnership, focusing on the illicit nature of the union