be a devil
Interjection
Meaning
be a devil
(UK, informal) Used to encourage someone to do something when they are unsure whether they should.
Examples
I would rather be a devil in alliance with truth, than an angel in alliance with falsehood.
If a man is not rising upwards to be an angel, depend upon it, he is sinking downwards to be a devil. He cannot stop at the beast. The most savage of men are not beasts; they are worse, a great deal worse.
I am an Agnostic because I am not afraid to think. I am not afraid of any god in the universe who would send me or any other man or woman to hell. If there were such a being, he would not be a god; he would be a devil.
When you dance with the devil, it might as well be a devil who can give you your own corner of hell to rule.
Do you believe in angels, Robard?” he asked faintly. "No, sir.” "Well, that's alright then, she must be a devil. Can deal with those, y'know.