What happens in the video
In the Short, Hana jokes that Marco sleeps in the oven, and then Marco appears with a croissant. In the payoff, Hana says "Speak of the devil" and asks if the croissant is for her. Marco says yes: it's fresh from the man in the oven.
1 Look who it is.
Tone Warm and friendly
Use it when a friend or someone you know appears, especially if you're happy to see them. It doesn't mean you were talking about the person, so it works for any friendly arrival.
Look who it is.
For example:
A: Look who it is. I haven't seen you in weeks.
B: I know. Work has been crazy.
A: Well, sit down. I'll get you a coffee.
2 Speak of the devil.
Tone Playful, a bit teasing
Say it as the person arrives, right after you've mentioned them. It's a joke between people who know each other. Avoid it with a new boss or in a formal meeting, because "devil" can sound rude to someone who doesn't know the idiom.
Speak of the devil.
For example:
A: Sam said he'd be late again.
B: Speak of the devil. Here he is.
A: Hi, Sam. We were just wondering where you were.
3 We were just talking about you.
Tone Honest and direct
Use it when you want to be open and tell the person they were the topic. It's best when you said something nice, because the next question will often be "What did you say?"
Hey. We were just talking about you.
For example:
A: Hey. We were just talking about you.
B: Oh no. Good things, I hope?
A: Of course. Lena loved your presentation.
4 There you are.
Tone Relieved, friendly
Use it when you were waiting for or looking for someone and they finally appear. Don't use it for someone you weren't expecting.
For example:
A: There you are. The movie starts in five minutes.
B: Sorry, the bus was slow.
5 Your ears must be burning.
Tone Light, teasing
Say it to someone who arrives after people were talking about them. It's a fun way to say "we mentioned you." It works best in relaxed, friendly groups.
For example:
A: Your ears must be burning.
B: Why? What were you saying about me?
A: Only that you make the best soup.
6 Perfect timing.
Tone Cheerful, casual
Use it when someone arrives at exactly the right moment, for example just as you need them. You can use it whether or not you were talking about them.
For example:
A: Perfect timing. We need one more player.
B: Great, I'm in.
7 Well, if it isn't Anna!
Tone Surprised, warm
Use it with a name when you're happily surprised to see someone. It sounds a little old-fashioned and theatrical, so keep it for friends.
For example:
A: Well, if it isn't Anna! When did you get back?
B: Just last night. I wanted to surprise everyone.
8 We were just saying your name.
Tone Simple, neutral
Use it when you want to say the same thing as "We were just talking about you" but more lightly. It's safe at work as well as with friends.
For example:
A: Oh, hi, Tom. We were just saying your name.
B: Really? Do you need something from me?
A: Yes, the report from Monday.
Common mistakes
-
Not quite
Speak about the devil.Better Speak of the devil.
An idiom has a fixed form. People say "speak of the devil," not "speak about." You can also say just the first part and leave out the rest.
-
Not quite
Saying "Speak of the devil" to a new manager at work.Better Say "We were just saying your name" or "Perfect timing."
"Speak of the devil" is a friendly joke, but the word "devil" can sound rude to someone who doesn't know you well or doesn't know the idiom.
-
Not quite
We just talked about you. (when the person walks in mid-conversation)Better We were just talking about you.
The past continuous "were talking" shows that the conversation was still going on when the person arrived. That's the natural form here.
Quick quiz
Choose your answer for each question, then open the answer to check it.
-
Your friend walks in right after you mentioned her name. Which line fits best?
- Speak of the devil.
- Excuse me, who are you?
- See you later.
Show the answer (Question 1)
Answer: Speak of the devil. This idiom is for the moment when someone arrives just after you talked about them.
-
What is the tone of "Speak of the devil" between friends?
- Angry and serious
- Playful and a bit teasing
- Formal and polite
Show the answer (Question 2)
Answer: Playful and a bit teasing Friends use it as a light joke, not as an insult.
-
You were waiting for your brother at the station, and he finally arrives. What do you say?
- Your ears must be burning.
- There you are.
- Speak of the devil.
Show the answer (Question 3)
Answer: There you are. "There you are" is for when you were looking for or waiting for someone.
-
Which line openly tells the person they were the topic of your conversation?
- Look who it is.
- Perfect timing.
- We were just talking about you.
Show the answer (Question 4)
Answer: We were just talking about you. This line says directly that you were talking about the person.
-
Which line is the safest with someone you don't know well at work?
- Speak of the devil.
- We were just saying your name.
- Well, if it isn't Tom!
Show the answer (Question 5)
Answer: We were just saying your name. It's simple and neutral, without a joke or a theatrical tone.
Questions learners ask
What does "speak of the devil" mean?
It means that the person you were just talking about has arrived. People say it when someone walks in at that moment. It's playful, and it doesn't mean the person is bad.
Is "speak of the devil" rude?
Between friends, it isn't rude. It's a light, teasing joke. With people you don't know well, or in formal situations, a neutral line such as "We were just saying your name" is safer.
What can I say instead of "speak of the devil"?
You can say "Look who it is" for a warm greeting or "We were just talking about you" to be direct. "Your ears must be burning" is another playful option. "Perfect timing" works when someone arrives just when you need them.
What does "your ears must be burning" mean?
It tells someone that people were talking about them just before they arrived. It's a friendly, teasing line. The person will often ask what you said, so be ready to answer.
Film lines are short quotes used for language teaching. The dialogue belongs to its rightsholders. Hana and Marco are animated characters made with Google Flow.
