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Glite Dictionary
to dance like a demon

to dance like a demon

7.7
To move your body with wild, strong energy and little control
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : bailar como un demonio
  • When the music started, she began to dance like a demon, much to everyone's amazement.

Examples

  • At the festival, everyone danced like a demon all night long.

  • She loves to dance like a demon at parties!

  • He would dance like a demon every time his favorite song came on.

  • They encouraged the children to let loose and dance like a demon at the festival.

  • He would dance like a demon every time his favorite song came on.

  • When the music started, she began to dance like a demon, much to everyone's amazement.

  • They encouraged the children to let loose and dance like a demon at the festival.

Synonyms

to boogie
vsto dance like a demon
  • Informal
28 7.5

Dance energetically to lively upbeat music

is wilder and more uninhibited than music-driven movement
to cut a rug
vsto dance like a demon
  • Archaic
6 8.4

To dance with a lot of energy and have fun

is wilder and less about lively enthusiasm and more uncontrolled
to boogie on down
vsto dance like a demon
  • Informal
1 8.8

To dance in a lively way to music

is wilder and more passionate and less restrained than lively movement
to throw shapes
vsto dance like a demon
  • Slang
1 9.0

To dance with showy, energetic movements

is wilder and less focused on style or showy moves
to tear up the dance floor
vsto dance like a demon
  • Informal
7.7

To dance with great energy and make people excited

is wilder and more uninhibited rather than aiming to impress
to jive to the rhythm
vsto dance like a demon
  • Informal
7.5

Dance quickly and happily to the beat of music

is wilder and more uninhibited rather than rhythm-focused

How Energetic

to dance like a demon
  • Informal
7.7
to dance
579 1.0

Surface Forms

dance like a demon infinitive
danced like a demon past
danced like a demon past participle
dancing like a demon present participle
dances like a demon third person singular

Morphology

dance + like + a + demon

The simile construction 'dance like a demon' is compositionally clear (dance + like + noun) so a learner who knows the words can infer a metaphorical meaning of very energetic or wild dancing based on common cultural associations of 'demon' with frenetic power. However, the exact nuance (uninhibited, passionate, possibly rowdy) depends on metaphorical and cultural knowledge rather than literal composition, so the sense is not fully predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Dance like a demon comes from the vivid image of someone dancing so wildly it is as if a demon has taken over their body, with fast feet and wild arms. So it now means 'to dance with great energy' or 'to dance wildly'.