play devil's advocate

play (the) devil's advocate

To argue against or attack an idea, argument, or proposition—even if one is in favor of it—for the sake of debate or to further examine its strength, validity, or details. Refers to the "Advocatus Diaboli," a person employed by the Catholic Church to argue against the canonization of a saint (and therefore help determine if that person is truly worthy of sainthood). I'm all for universal health care, but I'll play devil's advocate in asking how the government intends to fund such a massive undertaking. Tom is always playing devil's advocate in any given conversation because he loves picking apart other people's arguments.
See also: advocate, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

play (the) devil's advocate

Fig. to put forward arguments against or objections to a proposition-which one may actually agree with-purely to test the validity of the proposition. (The devil's advocate opposes the canonization of a saint in order to prove that the grounds for canonization are sound.) I agree with your plan. I'm just playing the devil's advocate so you'll know what the opposition will say. Mary offered to play devil's advocate and argue against our case so that we would find out any flaws in it.
See also: advocate, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

play devil's advocate

COMMON If you play devil's advocate in a discussion, you pretend to disagree with what someone says in order to make the discussion interesting or to make people think hard about an issue. My motive for playing devil's advocate is to provoke them into thinking about what we mean when we say something is `genetic'. Note: People also use devil's advocate to describe someone who acts in this way. Interviewers may take on the role of devil's advocate simply to see how effectively you can support your idea in the face of opposition.
See also: advocate, play
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

play devil's advocate

take a side in an argument that is the opposite of what you really want or think.
A translation of the Latin phrase advocatus diaboli , devil's advocate is the popular name for the official in the Roman Catholic Church who puts the case against a candidate for canonization or beatification; he is more properly known as promotor fidei ‘promoter of the faith’.
1994 Jude Deveraux The Invitation She had played devil's advocate with herself a thousand times.
See also: advocate, play
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • play (the) devil's advocate
  • be (the) devil's advocate
  • devil's advocate
  • a/the devil's advocate
  • devil's advocate, (to play)
  • argue the point
  • arguing for the sake of argument
  • for the sake of argument
  • for its own sake
  • for God's sake
References in periodicals archive
You can love, encourage, listen, play Devil's Advocate, offer ideas, do a few extra chores, even underwrite the whole thing financially, if you're able and willing ("support" can have two meanings here, and you don't specify which), but you can't be the one who:
How to support partner who is veering off course
Piers tried to "play devil's advocate" and admitted nobody knows what happened behind closed doors.
Michael Jackson's nephew Taj reveals family upset and slams accuser Wade Robson; Taj Jackson spoke out against the Leaving Neverland documentary and told Good Morning Britain that his uncle died an 'innocent, vindicated man'
After refusing to be shushed down, the Brexiters in the group asked me to play devil's advocate and think of something good that might come about after we leave the EU in 82 - count 'em - days time.
A new year of Brexit? Cheers!
But let's play devil's advocate here: Does all this Trump chaos matter for the economy, or for the stock market (which isn't at all the same thing)?
The ghost of Trump chaos future
Two, appoint one or two individuals to attend cabinet meetings specifically to play devil's advocate in every policy conversation in military terms, 'red team' it.
Sycophant culture
Let me play devil's advocate here, and ask the question: what will their squad look like if they lose Eden Hazard, Thibaut Courtois and Willian?
Robbie on Chelsea; Our Anfield legend looks at the season ahead
Finally, I'd quickly like to play devil's advocate. Although I am fully converted to a telehealth-believer, I wonder if virtual care visits almost encourage patients to (knowingly or unknowingly) not reveal symptoms (like a suspicious looking mole) that would otherwise be obviously seen in an in-person examination.
Call me converted
Play Devil's Advocate: Our gut is always going to offer its opinion.
Keep emotions out to hone critical thinking
Saying 'Let me play devil's advocate' is the surest way to cut creative thinking off at the knees because it sets a negative tone." Fundamentals of Library Supervision is a "must-read" for anyone working their way toward a managerial career in library science, and an excellent "refresher course" for professionals in the field.
Fundamentals of Library Supervision, third edition
It's a dangerous game to play devil's advocate but the truth of Celtic's dream season is tempered by the fact they're in a league of their own.
Archibald tops lot with miracle work at Partick
FOUR days out from the All-Ireland final, and I'm going to play devil's advocate on the issue of Dublin's favouritism.
How can Blues lose? Well Cluxton's confidence is low, Byrne & Small have struggled, McCarthy's rusty, midfield are beatable, Flynn & Brogan past best and Connolly peaks early!
When I play devil's advocate and ask, "How many of those people would be ready to take that seat, and have their own replacements ready, if the worst happened tomorrow?" most execs have to admit that they do not know.
Developing your bench
Whenever there is a discussion about problems with quarry neighbors, worker complaints or the constraints of regulation, someone in the group needs to play devil's advocate and articulate contrary opinions.
Myside bias: 'Myside Bias' isn't a problem if you are always right. And if you are, you wouldn't be reading this column
I've tried to play devil's advocate with myself, trying to find an argument against it - but I just can't.
Marriage certificates must reflect 21st-century reality; Neath MP Christina Rees is bringing forward a Private Member's Bill which would make it a legal requirement for the names and occupations of mothers to be included on marriage certificates. Here, she explains why it's time an archaic tradition - which means the documents currently just include the details of fathers - came to an end