blue devils: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowArchaic, Literary, Figurative
Quick answer
What does “blue devils” mean?
Feelings of depression, melancholy, or sadness.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Feelings of depression, melancholy, or sadness.
A term for low spirits or a state of despondency, historically also referring to delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is archaic in both. Slightly more potential recognition in American English through 18th–19th century literature.
Connotations
Archaic, poetic, somewhat euphemistic for sadness. Lacks clinical precision.
Frequency
Extremely low in both. Virtually absent from contemporary spoken or written English.
Grammar
How to Use “blue devils” in a Sentence
Suffer from + the blue devilsBe afflicted with + the blue devilsThe blue devils + verb (e.g., descended, took hold)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blue devils” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not used as a verb)
American English
- (Not used as a verb)
adverb
British English
- (Not used as an adverb)
American English
- (Not used as an adverb)
adjective
British English
- (Not used predictively; only in noun phrase 'blue-devils')
American English
- (Not used predictively; only in noun phrase 'blue-devils')
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Only in historical/literary analysis.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Not used in modern psychology/medicine.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blue devils”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blue devils”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blue devils”
- Using it in modern clinical contexts (use 'depression').
- Assuming listeners will understand the idiom.
- Confusing it with 'Blue Devils' (a sports team name).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic and literary term. In modern English, you would say 'depressed', 'down', or 'have the blues'.
No, it's a metaphorical idiom. The 'devils' represent the tormenting feelings of sadness.
They are synonyms, but 'blue devils' is much older and more poetic, while 'the blues' is a more common, informal, and modern idiom.
Historically, yes. It could also refer to the hallucinations of delirium tremens from alcohol withdrawal, but this usage is now obsolete.
Feelings of depression, melancholy, or sadness.
Blue devils is usually archaic, literary, figurative in register.
Blue devils: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbluː ˈdɛv(ə)lz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌblu ˈdɛvəlz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[The phrase itself is an idiom]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sad cartoon character being followed by little blue, devilish imps representing bad moods.
Conceptual Metaphor
SADNESS IS A DEMON/POSSESSION (an oppressive external force).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'blue devils' MOST likely to be encountered today?