idle hands are the devil's workshop

idle hands are the devil's workshop

proverb When one is unoccupied or has nothing to do, one is more likely to cause or get into trouble. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, so is it any surprise they started causing mischief after being left to their own devices for so long? We try to keep our kids busy with various jobs and activities during their summer break. Idle hands are the devil's workshop, after all.
See also: hand, idle, workshop
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take a mile
  • give (someone) an inch and (someone) (will) take a yard
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
References in periodicals archive
"Idle hands are the devil's workshop. Kung walang ginagawa at nakaistambay lang, maaaring matukso na gumawa ng hindi maganda katulad ng mang-snatch o makipag-inuman," he pointed out.
Law enforcement authorities should come up with crime maps -- Gordon
Third, engaging in legal activities reduces the time available for illegal activities, possibly the foundation for the phrase "idle hands are the devil's workshop." (15)
Reducing a guilty suspect's resistance to confessing: applying criminological theory to interrogation theme development
Idle hands are the devil's workshop, and, when you go home, you're worn out," said Tyree Chapman, who served 11 years in prison for armed robbery and murder.
No sure thing: on the outside, many ex-offenders find they need more than jobs to keep them from going back to prison