to dance with the devil
1
9.6
- idiom
- Informal
:
bailar con el diablo
- Maybe they're ready to dance with the devil.
Examples
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Are you ready to dance with the devil?
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You dance with the devil long enough...
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They are dancing with the devil.
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To achieve his dreams, he was willing to dance with the devil and take significant risks.
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Investing in that volatile market means you might dance with the devil for big returns.
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Some politicians dance with the devil, making deals that could have serious ethical repercussions.
Synonyms
22
5.8
To take a big risk that can cause harm
Act badly to get money, power, or success
Give up what is right to get money or power
Antonyms
How Risky
- Informal
- Informal
1
9.6
56
3.2
42
3.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'dance' (to engage closely), 'with' (together), and 'devil' (an embodiment of evil) give a clear metaphorical image of associating or cooperating with something morally dangerous, so a B1 learner who knows the words can likely infer the general idea. However, the specific idiomatic nuance—undertaking risky or morally questionable actions for potential gain—is metaphorical and not fully predictable from the parts, so the expression is only partially transparent.
Etymology
The idiom dance with the devil comes from the image of literally dancing with a dangerous devil, a partner who could trick or harm you. That's why it means 'to take big risks or do something wrong to get an advantage'.