Argue for an opinion which you may not agree with in order to make an argument more interesting. You don’t have to actually believe in that position. Meaning: one who presents a counter argument. Read on. “Can I just play devil’s advocate?” Not sure why someone would want to advocate for the devil, but “devil’s advocate” is a common phrase. When a person was being considered for sainthood, the Devil's Advocate was given the task of stating the reasons why a person should not be canonized. Read on. Playing devil’s advocate. Example: He was not agreeing to back off, as if he was playing devil’s advocate. devil's advocate. Devil's advocate definition is - a Roman Catholic official whose duty is to examine critically the evidence on which a demand for beatification or canonization rests. An advocate is someone who openly supports and agrees with something. To describe someone as a Devil's advocate now is to suggest that they are mischievous and contradictory, being contrary for the sake of it. Playing devil’s advocate is when you present a different point of view for the sake of argument. Devil’s Advocate It refers to someone who takes an opposing position for the sake of argument. It does not mean that you necessarily believe in that view. According to Phrase Finder this phrase was brought into English in the 18th century from the medieval Latin expression ‘advocatus diaboli’. Meaning: something that will never happen or is impossible. Besides, knowing about various idioms with examples, a good vocabulary can take you to places in the competitive exams as well as in life. il's advocate n. One who argues against a cause or position, not as a committed opponent but simply for the sake of argument or to determine the validity of the cause or position. Background: Devil's advocate is taken from a role formerly used in the canonization process in the Roman Catholic Church. Example: I wanted to go to play outside, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday. How to use devil's advocate in a sentence. You might say “Speaking for the defense” or “Speaking for the prosecution” — depending on the role of the person/thng you want to support. Example: William will keep quiet only when pigs fly. It means that you take a position in an argument specifically to state the opposite view. when pigs fly. Play devil’s advocate. English Idiom – To Play Devil’s Advocate Meaning – To express an opposing or unpopular point of view for the sake of argument. Meaning. For example, if there is a popular legal case where someone is presumed guilty, you could play devil’s advocate and … Meaning: raining very heavily. Devil’s Advocate Definition. The term "Devil's Advocate" dates back to the sixteenth century to an official office within the Roman Catholic Church known in Latin as the Advocatus Diaboli—literally, "Devil's Advocate." Origins and Meaning. Taking the opposite side to a certain viewpoint for the sake of debate or to test the strength of that viewpoint. So a devil’s advocate would agree with the views that take apart or devalue your own. Too common. The term 'Devil's advocate' was brought into English in the 18th century from the medieval Latin expression 'advocatus diaboli'. Meaning: To argue, just for the sake of it. The phrase is usually muddled by someone after a leader has passionately presented a new idea or a possible direction to explore. The phrase comes from the Catholic Church. Take a position in an argument more interesting, but it was raining cats and dogs yesterday that... How to use devil 's advocate in a sentence of that viewpoint argument specifically to state the opposite side a. 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