devil's grip: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Low-FrequencyMedical, Informal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “devil's grip” mean?
A medical condition characterized by sudden, severe, sharp pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, often caused by inflammation of the pleura or diaphragm.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A medical condition characterized by sudden, severe, sharp pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, often caused by inflammation of the pleura or diaphragm.
Informal term for Bornholm disease or epidemic pleurodynia; sometimes used metaphorically to describe any sudden, excruciating pain or a gripping, intense difficulty.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants recognize the term, but it is archaic in professional medical contexts in both regions. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical medical literature.
Connotations
Conveys a vivid, almost folkloric description of pain. Can sound old-fashioned or dramatic.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use, superseded by 'epidemic pleurodynia' or 'Bornholm disease'.
Grammar
How to Use “devil's grip” in a Sentence
[Patient] was struck by devil's grip.The devil's grip [verb: seized/gripped/afflicted] [Patient].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “devil's grip” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He was devil's-gripped for a week.
- The pain devil's-gripped his entire torso.
American English
- She felt devil's-gripped after the fever started.
- It devil's-gripped him suddenly.
adverb
British English
- The pain struck devil's-grip quick.
- He clenched devil's-grip tight.
American English
- It hurt devil's-grip bad.
- She folded over devil's-grip fast.
adjective
British English
- He had a devil's-grip sensation.
- A devil's-grip episode left him breathless.
American English
- She described a devil's-grip pain.
- It was a classic devil's-grip presentation.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or etymological discussions of medical terminology.
Everyday
Very rare; might be used by older generations to describe severe, sudden pain.
Technical
Archaic; modern clinical terms are preferred.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “devil's grip”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “devil's grip”
- Using it as a current medical diagnosis.
- Confusing it with 'devil's claw' (a plant).
- Spelling as 'devils grip' without the apostrophe.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an archaic, colloquial term. Modern medicine uses 'epidemic pleurodynia' or 'Bornholm disease'.
It primarily affects the muscles between the ribs (intercostal muscles) and the pleura, causing pain in the lower chest and upper abdomen.
Yes, though rarely. It can metaphorically describe any sudden, intense, and gripping hardship or pain, e.g., 'The grief hit him like devil's grip.'
The name reflects the sudden onset, extreme severity, and 'gripping' or squeezing quality of the pain, attributing it to a malevolent force.
A medical condition characterized by sudden, severe, sharp pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen, often caused by inflammation of the pleura or diaphragm.
Devil's grip is usually medical, informal/historical in register.
Devil's grip: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ɡrɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdev.əlz ɡrɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Feels like the devil's got hold of you.”
- “Gripped by pain.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a sudden, sharp pain so severe it feels like the devil himself is squeezing your chest.
Conceptual Metaphor
PAIN IS A MALEVOLENT BEING GRASPING/ATTACKING.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the modern medical term for 'devil's grip'?