speak of the devil

短语

说曹操曹操到

发音

AU

别名

speak of the devil and he shall appear talk of the devil

释义与例句

phr.
  1. 1.

    An expression sometimes used when a person mentioned in the current conversation happens to arrive on the scene.

    说曹操，曹操到

    曹操到

    一讲曹操，曹操就到

    曹操就到

    幽默 习语

    A: You know who would appreciate this? Tom. B: Speak of the devil! Look who just walked in!

词源

Ellipsis of speak of the devil and he shall appear, which can be traced back to “talk of the Devil, and he’s presently at your elbow”, attested in 1666. The idea behind this (namely, that mentioning a dangerous creature may cause it to appear) is found in many cultures around the world; see taboo avoidance.

来源：wiktionary