What does the idiom "Play devil\'s advocate" mean?
The expression Play devil\'s advocate is one of the idioms that often finds a place in our literature and enriches our language. However, its meaning is not fully understood, so it is sometimes used in the wrong situations. Please review the explanation carefully for the correct use of the Play devil\'s advocate idiom.
Meaning of "Play devil\'s advocate"
Meaning
The phrase ‘play devil’s advocate’ is used to describe someone who expresses a contrary opinion on a particular issue, in order to provoke debate and discussion. This person is not necessarily taking sides against the prevailing opinion, they are just playing the part of the devil’s advocate in order to come to a better understanding of the issue. This phrase is often used when discussing the merits of a particular argument or position, as playing devil’s advocate can lead to a more detailed or thorough understanding of an issue.
Etymology
The phrase ‘play devil’s advocate’ has its roots in the Catholic Church. The role of Devil’s Advocate was first established in the 15th century and was designed to challenge the process of canonisation or beatification of a person. The Devil’s Advocate was responsible for presenting all the possible objections to a proposed canonisation in order for the decision-making process to be as thorough as possible.
Usage
The phrase ‘play devil’s advocate’ can be used in any discussion where someone is expressing an opinion that is contrary to the prevailing view. The phrase is often used when discussing the merits of an argument or idea, and it can be used to encourage further debate and discussion. For example, if someone is discussing the merits of a particular policy, someone else might ‘play devil’s advocate’ by expressing an opposing view in order to explore all the potential arguments.
Example Sentences
- I'm not sure I agree with what you're saying, so I'm going to play devil's advocate for a moment and explore the other side of the argument.
- I'm not against the proposal, but I think we need to play devil's advocate and think about all the potential problems before we make a decision.
Idioms with similar meaning
"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.
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