Some sayings in American English sound strange at first, but they carry deep meanings. One group of these sayings is called “idioms about evil.” These phrases are often used to talk about people who do bad things or situations that feel wrong or unfair. Idioms make language more fun and help us understand ideas quickly. Even if they don’t say what they mean word-for-word, they paint a clear picture in our minds.
In the United States, people often use idioms to talk about villains in movies, unfair situations, or harmful actions. Kids might hear some of these at school, on TV, or even in books. By learning these expressions, young readers can better understand stories, news, and everyday conversations. Let’s look at some idioms about evil and what they really mean.
Idioms About Evil
1. Bad to the bone
Meaning: Truly evil or wicked
Example Sentence:
– The villain in the movie was bad to the bone.
– Some people just seem bad to the bone, like they enjoy hurting others.
Other ways to say: Evil at heart, wicked through and through
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase became popular from a 1982 rock song by George Thorogood.
Usage: Commonly used to describe people who seem fully evil, especially in American pop culture.
2. Black sheep
Meaning: A person who is different in a bad way
Example Sentence:
– He was the black sheep of the family, always getting into trouble.
– The town saw him as the black sheep for what he did.
Other ways to say: Outcast, troublemaker
Fun Fact/Origin: Black wool was less valuable, so black sheep were seen as bad luck.
Usage: Used when someone is seen as the “bad” one in a group, often in families.
3. Rotten to the core
Meaning: Very bad or corrupt inside
Example Sentence:
– That company was rotten to the core, full of lies and cheating.
– He may look kind, but he’s rotten to the core.
Other ways to say: Corrupt, deeply bad
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from fruit that looks fine outside but is spoiled inside.
Usage: Used to describe people or groups that are completely dishonest or mean.
4. Up to no good
Meaning: Planning to do something bad
Example Sentence:
– The kids were up to no good behind the school.
– He looked like he was up to no good walking around the neighborhood.
Other ways to say: Causing trouble, being sneaky
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in old American crime stories.
Usage: Often used for mischief or sneaky behavior.
5. Devil’s advocate
Meaning: A person who argues just to cause conflict or challenge others
Example Sentence:
– She was just playing devil’s advocate in the debate.
– Don’t be a devil’s advocate just to make people angry.
Other ways to say: Provoker, challenger
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the Catholic Church, where someone would argue against a person becoming a saint.
Usage: Used when someone takes the “bad side” in a discussion on purpose.
6. Deal with the devil
Meaning: Make a dangerous or bad agreement
Example Sentence:
– He made a deal with the devil to get rich.
– It’s like making a deal with the devil—short-term win, long-term pain.
Other ways to say: Risky trade, bad bargain
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old stories where people gave up their soul for a favor.
Usage: Used to warn someone about risky choices.
7. Evil eye
Meaning: A mean or threatening look
Example Sentence:
– She gave me the evil eye when I took her seat.
– The teacher gave him the evil eye after he broke the rule.
Other ways to say: Dirty look, glare
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old beliefs that a bad look could cause harm.
Usage: Used to talk about scary or angry looks.
8. Wolf in sheep’s clothing
Meaning: Someone who pretends to be good but is really bad
Example Sentence:
– That new friend turned out to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
– Watch out, he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Other ways to say: Faker, two-faced
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from an old story where a wolf hides in sheep’s skin.
Usage: Used to warn people about someone who hides their true self.
9. Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: To betray someone to save yourself
Example Sentence:
– He threw his teammate under the bus to avoid trouble.
– She got in trouble after her friend threw her under the bus.
Other ways to say: Betray, blame someone else
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase became popular in American politics and sports.
Usage: Used when someone is blamed unfairly.
10. Bite the hand that feeds you
Meaning: To hurt or betray someone who helps you
Example Sentence:
– He bit the hand that fed him by lying about his boss.
– Don’t bite the hand that feeds you—it’ll come back to hurt you.
Other ways to say: Be ungrateful, backstab
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from how animals shouldn’t harm their owners.
Usage: Used when someone is mean to someone helping them.
11. Go over to the dark side
Meaning: Start doing bad or dishonest things
Example Sentence:
– He used to be honest, but now he’s gone over to the dark side.
– She went to the dark side when she started stealing.
Other ways to say: Turn bad, join the wrong side
Fun Fact/Origin: Popularized by the “Star Wars” movies.
Usage: Used when someone changes from good to evil.
12. Cold-blooded
Meaning: Acting without any kindness or care
Example Sentence:
– The criminal was cold-blooded and showed no regret.
– That was a cold-blooded lie.
Other ways to say: Heartless, cruel
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from animals like snakes that are cold-blooded and seen as emotionless.
Usage: Used to describe mean or heartless actions.
13. Like pulling wings off a fly
Meaning: Getting pleasure from hurting weaker things
Example Sentence:
– He bullies kids like it’s fun—like pulling wings off a fly.
– That villain was like someone pulling wings off a fly.
Other ways to say: Cruel for fun, mean-spirited
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of kids harming bugs just for fun.
Usage: Used when someone enjoys hurting others.
14. Evil genius
Meaning: A very smart person who uses their brains for bad things
Example Sentence:
– The villain in the story was an evil genius.
– He planned it like an evil genius—smart but wrong.
Other ways to say: Clever villain, wicked mastermind
Fun Fact/Origin: Seen often in cartoons and comic books.
Usage: Used for characters who are both smart and bad.
15. Stir the pot
Meaning: To cause trouble on purpose
Example Sentence:
– He loves to stir the pot and watch people argue.
– Don’t stir the pot just to see people fight.
Other ways to say: Cause drama, make trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of stirring food so it doesn’t settle.
Usage: Used when someone causes drama without reason.
16. Playing with fire
Meaning: Doing something risky or dangerous
Example Sentence:
– If you lie to your teacher, you’re playing with fire.
– She’s playing with fire by trusting that bad group.
Other ways to say: Taking a risk, acting foolish
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the real danger of playing with flames.
Usage: Used to warn people about risky behavior.
17. Break bad
Meaning: To begin acting in a bad or evil way
Example Sentence:
– He broke bad after hanging out with the wrong crowd.
– That character really broke bad in season two.
Other ways to say: Turn bad, become dangerous
Fun Fact/Origin: Made famous by the American TV show “Breaking Bad.”
Usage: Often used to describe people who turn to crime.
18. Snake in the grass
Meaning: A person who acts friendly but secretly does harm
Example Sentence:
– He seemed nice, but he was just a snake in the grass.
– Watch out, she’s a snake in the grass.
Other ways to say: Sneaky person, backstabber
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of snakes hiding in grass to strike.
Usage: Used to describe people who can’t be trusted.
19. Devil may care
Meaning: Acting without concern for right or wrong
Example Sentence:
– He lived with a devil-may-care attitude.
– She wore a devil-may-care grin after breaking the rule.
Other ways to say: Carefree, reckless
Fun Fact/Origin: First used in old English literature.
Usage: Used when someone acts like they don’t care about the consequences.
20. The devil is in the details
Meaning: The small things can cause big problems
Example Sentence:
– Be careful with that plan—the devil is in the details.
– It looked easy, but the devil was in the details.
Other ways to say: Watch out for small problems
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a German saying about small things causing big issues.
Usage: Used when something seems simple, but really isn’t.
21. Hell-bent
Meaning: Determined to do something, even if it’s bad
Example Sentence:
– He was hell-bent on getting revenge.
– She was hell-bent on winning, no matter what it took.
Other ways to say: Obsessed, won’t stop
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hell” in this idiom shows danger or a wrong path.
Usage: Used when someone won’t stop, even if it’s harmful.
22. Like a bat out of hell
Meaning: Moving very fast in a wild or scary way
Example Sentence:
– He ran like a bat out of hell when the alarm rang.
– The car sped off like a bat out of hell.
Other ways to say: Super fast, wildly quick
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the image of scary bats flying from a fiery place.
Usage: Used to describe someone acting quickly and wildly.
23. Raise hell
Meaning: To cause a lot of trouble or anger
Example Sentence:
– The fans raised hell after the bad call.
– Don’t raise hell over a small mistake.
Other ways to say: Make a scene, cause a fuss
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hell” here means chaos or wild behavior.
Usage: Used when someone stirs up trouble on purpose.
24. Go to hell in a handbasket
Meaning: Get worse very fast
Example Sentence:
– The whole plan went to hell in a handbasket.
– That project is going to hell in a handbasket.
Other ways to say: Falling apart, getting worse
Fun Fact/Origin: An old American phrase showing quick downfall.
Usage: Used when things go badly in a short time.
25. Dance with the devil
Meaning: Get involved with bad or dangerous things
Example Sentence:
– He danced with the devil by joining that gang.
– Don’t dance with the devil just to feel cool.
Other ways to say: Mess with trouble, take a bad risk
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on old sayings about risking evil.
Usage: Used to warn about choosing dangerous paths.
26. Burn in hell
Meaning: A harsh way to say someone deserves punishment
Example Sentence:
– The villain said his enemies would burn in hell.
– Some people say thieves should burn in hell.
Other ways to say: Face punishment, get what’s coming
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from religious ideas of punishment after death.
Usage: Used in strong, emotional situations.
27. Speak of the devil
Meaning: When someone appears just after being talked about
Example Sentence:
– Speak of the devil—there he is!
– We were just talking about her, and here she comes.
Other ways to say: Just talking about you
Fun Fact/Origin: First used jokingly when someone entered a room after being mentioned.
Usage: Used in fun, everyday moments.
28. Evil laughs last
Meaning: Sometimes the bad guy wins at the end
Example Sentence:
– In that movie, the evil laughs last when the villain escapes.
– He cheated and still won—the evil laughs last.
Other ways to say: Bad guys win, villain wins
Fun Fact/Origin: A twist on the phrase “he who laughs last, laughs best.”
Usage: Used when a bad person ends up on top, often unfairly.
Quiz: Idioms About Evil
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning of each idiom. Pick the best answer from A, B, or C.
Question Key
1. What does “rotten to the core” mean?
a) A little bit mean inside
b) Very bad or corrupt inside
c) Good on the outside, bad in sports
2. If someone is a “wolf in sheep’s clothing,” what are they doing?
a) Wearing warm clothes in winter
b) Pretending to be kind but actually mean
c) Taking care of farm animals
3. What does it mean when someone “throws you under the bus”?
a) Gives you a ride
b) Betrays you to save themselves
c) Helps you with a project
4. If someone “made a deal with the devil,” what did they do?
a) Got a great deal at the store
b) Gave away something bad
c) Chose a bad deal for something they wanted
5. What is someone doing if they “stir the pot”?
a) Cooking dinner
b) Causing drama or trouble on purpose
c) Cleaning up messes
6. If someone is “up to no good,” what are they likely doing?
a) Planning something bad
b) Helping a friend
c) Watching a movie
7. What does “cold-blooded” describe?
a) Someone who is always cold
b) Someone who is kind but quiet
c) Someone who is cruel and doesn’t care
8. What does “snake in the grass” mean?
a) A gardener
b) A person who secretly does harm
c) A person who likes animals
9. What does “devil may care” mean?
a) Being very careful
b) Acting without worry
c) Being afraid of trouble
10. What does “like a bat out of hell” describe?
a) Someone moving fast and wild
b) Someone who is tired
c) A flying pet
Answer Key
- b) Very bad or corrupt inside
- b) Pretending to be kind but actually mean
- b) Betrays you to save themselves
- c) Chose a bad deal for something they wanted
- b) Causing drama or trouble on purpose
- a) Planning something bad
- c) Someone who is cruel and doesn’t care
- b) A person who secretly does harm
- b) Acting without worry
- a) Someone moving fast and wild
Wrapping Up
Idioms about evil help people in the USA talk about bad actions in a colorful way. These sayings show up in stories, movies, and everyday talk. They help explain actions that are sneaky, mean, or just plain wrong—without using too many words.
By learning these idioms, you’ll better understand conversations and even jokes. These phrases are not just fun; they help you speak and think in ways Americans often do. Keep them in mind, and you’ll sound more natural and confident when talking about tricky or unfair things.
