Literally, pay the devil what you owe him. Used figuratively to mean ‘give back what you owe’, either money or favours.
Literally, pay the devil what you owe him. Used figuratively to mean ‘give back what you owe’, either money or favours.
From Shakespeare’s Henry V Part 1, 1597:
ORLÉANS: And I will take up that with “Give the devil his due.”
The expression is referred to in the play as a proverb and so it is likely that Shakespeare was repeating it rather than coining it.
See also: the List of Proverbs.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ
American Animals Australian Bible Body Colour Conflict Death Devil Dogs Emotions Euphemism Family Fashion Food French Horses ‘Jack’ Luck Money Military Music Names Nature Nautical Numbers Politics Religion Shakespeare Stupidity Entertainment Weather Women Work