Meaning of “The Devil to Pay”
The phrase “the devil to pay” is an idiomatic expression that means a situation has gone wrong or a problem has occurred and one has to face its repercussions that may have been caused by one’s actions. It is usually employed to explain conditions that are likely to have long term consequences and are likely to demand a lot of effort to address. The phrase is a metaphor that means that for every action there is a consequence to be faced, and this consequence is usually not a good one.
For instance, if someone has not performed his/her duties at the workplace, the person might say, “I’ll be in trouble when the boss arrives.” This is because the phrase is utilized to express the severe consequences of the neglect and that the consequences will be unbearable.
The phrase is often used to mean that if one does not solve a particular issue, then he or she will be in trouble. It also helps to remind one that if an issue is left unaddressed or is not properly addressed it can lead to a more severe problem in the future.
Origin of “The Devil to Pay”
As for the origin of the expression “the devil to pay” it is not quite clear, but there are several hypotheses that can be made.
There are many reasons as to why this is so, and one of them is that it is believed to have originated from the process of caulking wooden ships. The process of putting the seams between the planks using oakum fiber and applying hot tar over it was called as ‘paying’.
If this tiresome job was not done effectively then it meant that there were chances for water to find its way through and this posed a danger to the ship’s buoyancy. The process of Caulking the “Devil” or trouble cracked to make the vessel watertight was as tough and meticulous and it was the “Devil to Pay”.
Another theory is rooted in religious beliefs, such as the concept of people who lived wicked lives would at one time have to make a settlement with the devil to pay for their sins. Hence, forgetting about the right conduct meant that the devil would come and claim his dues.
Examples of “The Devil to Pay” in Literature
The phrase has been employed for centuries in literature, mainly to address a situation that potentially has severe repercussions or refer to a certain fallout.
Such expression has made its way into works of classic literature as well as into the modern novels as a call for the moral account, a warning of aftermaths, and for the steep price that one might have to pay.
Example#1
“The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
The popular phrase in literature ‘the devil to pay’ has been well illustrated by William Shakespeare in his play, The Tempest.
In the play, the protagonist who is otherwise known as Prospero the rightful Duke of Milan uses his magical ability to transport Antonio and King Alonso of Naples to a climatic island . As the story progresses one can realizes that there would be a high cost of tricking and betraying Prospero to have him exiled.
The actual physical form of the phrase “the devil to pay” is not present in the text but the general idea is reflected in the threats that Prospero makes and the price, which Antonio and Alonso have to pay in the end. In Act V, Scene I, Prospero confronts his brother Antonio and King Alonso:
Prospero: “I here could pluck his Highness’ frown upon you And justify you traitors: at this time I will tell no tales.”
In this passage, Prospero suggests that there are to be terrible repercussions for Ant’s betrayal and Alonso’s complicity; this ties in with the theme of redemption or moral retribution and the expression ‘the devil to pay’.
Example#2
“Moby-Dick” by Herman Melville
The phrase “the devil to pay” has been used to indicate the looming disaster and the price to be paid for obsession. The novel’s plot revolves around the main character of Captain Ahab and his maniacal hunt for the white whale known as Moby-Dick, which results in the latter’s tragic demise.
In the chapter 128 named “The Pequod Meets the Rachel”, an independent captain Gardiner of the Rachel begs Ahab to help him to find his son lost at sea during the battle with the white mate. Ahab refuses, driven by his obsession with the whale, and Gardiner warns him of the dire consequences of his actions:
Captain Gardiner: “Think of your boy, sir; and think of the shipwrecked mother and child, who, but for this same boat, might have perished; say you were in a hard case, my poor fellow; but even with the devil to pay, yet would I not buy this whale with a single hair of my head, or soul, or sinew of my little finger.”
Melville’s use of this particular phrase is highly revealing for the novel, which demonstrates the utter futility of obsession and the notion that there is always a price to be paid for one’s actions – particularly if these actions are fueled by hate and irrationality.
See also: Deus Ex Machina (Meaning & Examples in Literature)
Example#3
“Heart of Darkness” by Joseph Conrad
“Heart of Darkness” is a brilliant work by Joseph Conrad that addresses the darkness in human nature and the price of reckless greed. This novel describes the work of Charles Marlow, the sailor who accepts the mission to travel up the Congo River to eliminate the independent ivory deprived trader, Kurtz, who has become “the god” among the African tribes.
The phrase ‘the devil to pay’ has been used many times in the novella to express the notion that there is a punitive downside for Kurtz and for the colonial imperialists of Africa. In one passage, Marlow reflects on the gravity of Kurtz’s situation:
Marlow: “I couldn’t have felt more of lonely desolation somehow, had I been robbed of a belief or had missed my destiny in life…and there was the devil to pay in so many ways.”
Here, Conrad saves the phrase “the devil to pay” to express the moral and metaphysical repercussions of Kurtz’s deeds as well as colonialism in general.
The phrase gives a feeling of hopelessness, a feeling that there will be a dire consequence for the exploitation and dehumanization that have occurred.
The phrase used by Conrad becomes a powerful statement emphasizing the whole set of moral ideas of the Novella, which concern the evil of human soul and the sociopolitical implications of the imperialism.
Example#4
“Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson
“Treasure Island” is one of the most popular adventure books of all the time, which includes the themes, such as pirates and buried treasures and thrilling stunts.
In the novel the idiom “the devil to pay” has been used by the author in order to build anticipation and show the severity of the consequences that the characters of the novel are to face.
In Chapter 6, titled “The Captain’s Papers,” the character Dr. Livesey warns the other characters about the dangers of going after the pirate treasure:
Dr. Livesey: “If there is any pirate skulking around this island, or if there’s any treachery afoot, there’s the devil to pay and no pitch hot enough to make it right.”
In this passage, Livesey uses the term “the devil to pay” to express simply the risks and repercussions that are involved in hunting for the pirates’ wealth. The phrase is used to escalate the level of danger of the trip and to convey the message that there will be a price put on the failure.
This phrase used by Stevenson also brings a feeling of suspense and danger to the novel, and also enhances the theme of receiving one’s deserving retribution due to greed and betrayal.
See also: The Life of Riley Meaning & Examples
Modern Usage and Relevance of “The Devil to Pay”
The phrase “the devil to pay” has been is also used to present time. Even though, it may already sound old-fashioned and is nowadays adopted mostly in certain formal settings, especially when discussing a situation which one may anticipate to be troublesome, complicated, or where much effort is likely to be needed to set right.
It is often employed in journalism, in political discourses as well as in people’s informal speech to imply that something always follows and it might be perilous.
1- In Journalism and Media
In journalism and media industries, the phrase “the devil to pay denotes” denotes political scandals, corporate wrongdoings or any other event that has negative repercussions. It can be used by the journalists to stress on the situation and make people believe that there would be consequences of the situation.
2- In Politics and Public Discourse
In politics and other public discussions, the phrase ‘the devil to pay’ is usually used to refer to cases where there are repercussions of certain policies, political strategies or other actions made by political leaders.
This may be used by politicians and other commentators to alert people to certain dangers or to stress the risks associated with certain actions.
3- In Everyday Conversation
In more common parlance, ‘the devil to pay’ means that major consequences are lying in wait to be met or that trouble is sure to follow.
It can be speculated that people might use this phrase to express the fact that there will be a high price for certain actions or decisions which will be difficult to bear.
Example Sentences of “The Devil to Pay”
- If I don’t finish this report by sunrise, there will be the devil to pay when my boss finds out.
- After backing out of the deal, John realized there would be the devil to pay once word reached his so-called partners.
- When Mom finds out we threw a party while she was away, there will be the devil to pay for sure!
- Once the truth comes out, there will be the devil to pay for the corrupt politician who betrayed the public trust.
- If I don’t pass this exam that I neglected to study for, there will be the devil to pay from my strict parents.
- For big tobacco companies that lied about the health risks for decades, there was eventually the devil to pay in massive lawsuits.
- When the principal catches whoever pulled that prank, you can bet there will be the devil to pay for disrupting school.
- If we miss this crucial project deadline after all the extensions, there will be the devil to pay trying to explain it to the client.
- There will be the devil to pay dealing with all the angry customers once this defective product inevitably fails.
- After flaking on helping my sister move for the third time, I knew there would be the devil to pay next time I needed a favor.
See also: Don’t Go There Meaning & Examples
