The phrase "raise devil" is a common idiom that means "to cause trouble" or "to misbehave." The word "raise" is spelled /reɪz/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the long "a" sound represented by the symbol /eɪ/. The pronunciation of "devil" is /ˈdɛvəl/, with an unstressed "e" sound represented by the symbol /ə/. The word is spelled as it is pronounced with the standard English spelling system. This phrase is often used colloquially and should not be taken literally.
The phrase "raise devil" is an idiomatic expression that often signifies stirring up trouble, causing mischief, or engaging in mischievous and disruptive behavior. It is primarily used in informal and colloquial contexts. When someone is said to "raise devil," they are being described as creating chaos or discord through their actions or words.
One might describe an individual as a troublemaker or mischief-maker if they have a tendency to "raise devil." Such individuals typically aim to create a disturbance, provoke others, or incite arguments or conflicts. Their actions may include acts of disobedience, prank-playing, instigating disagreements, or actively challenging authority figures.
The phrase "raise devil" can also depict engaging in mischievous behavior solely for amusement or entertainment purposes. It may refer to engaging in playful activities that can be disruptive or bothersome to others, such as pulling pranks, causing harmless chaos, or playing practical jokes.
Due to its informal and colloquial nature, "raise devil" is typically used to describe individuals or situations in a light-hearted or humorous manner. It does not usually connote malicious intent or serious harm. Instead, it characterizes the playful, disruptive behavior that can bring amusement but might also inconvenience or trouble others.
The phrase "raise devil" is not a commonly used term or established idiom. However, it could be inferred that it may have originated from the more popular phrase "raise hell".
The term "raise hell" emerged in the late 19th century and refers to causing trouble, disruption, or engaging in wild behavior. It is likely that "raise devil" developed as a variation or a regional dialect version of "raise hell", meaning a similar concept of engaging in mischievous or disruptive behavior.
The exact etymology of "raise hell" is unclear, as idiomatic phrases often emerge organically within language and can be challenging to trace with precision. Nonetheless, it is believed to be derived from the religious conception of hell as a place of chaos, turmoil, and misbehavior.