old harry
Definition
- Noun (proper noun, usually capitalized):
- A name for the Devil or Satan: "Old Harry" is a colloquial or euphemistic term used to refer to the Devil, often in informal or older English speech. It is not a literal person but a personification of evil or temptation.
Usage Examples
- (He refused to bargain with the Devil.)
- (The traditional stories warned that Satan would take the souls of bad people.)
Advanced Usage
"to raise Old Harry": to cause great trouble, disturbance, or chaos.
- The children raised Old Harry in the classroom while the teacher was away. (They caused a lot of disorder and mischief.)
"to play Old Harry with": to disrupt or spoil something.
- The unexpected rain played Old Harry with our picnic plans. (The rain ruined our outdoor meal plans.)
Variants and Related Words
Old Nick (n): another euphemistic name for the Devil, used similarly to "Old Harry".
- He was as cunning as Old Nick himself. (He was as clever and deceitful as the Devil.)
Old Scratch (n): a third euphemistic name for the Devil, common in older English.
- They believed Old Scratch tempted them to sin. (They believed the Devil tempted them to do wrong.)
Synonyms
- Satan: the proper name for the Devil in Christian theology.
- The Devil: the most common term for the supreme evil spirit.
- The Prince of Darkness: a formal or literary name for Satan.
Related Idioms
The devil to pay: serious trouble or consequences to face.
- If you lie to the boss, there'll be the devil to pay. (You will face severe trouble.)
Between the devil and the deep blue sea: a difficult choice between two equally bad options.
- He was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, forced to choose between losing his job or betraying his friend. (He was in a dilemma with no good outcome.)