the devil finds work for idle hands

the devil finds work for idle hands

proverb When one is unoccupied or has nothing to do, one is more likely to cause or get into trouble. The devil finds work for idle hands, 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. The devil finds work for idle hands, after all.
See also: devil, find, hand, idle, work
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 (one) (one's) head
  • give head
References in classic literature
"The devil finds work for idle hands to do," said Mr.
Of Human Bondage
The devil finds work for idle hands. With its huge immigrant population, Molenbeek also has a huge unemployment problem and therefore a lot of idle hands, which gained it notoriety way before it became linked with jihadists.
In the shadow of terror
Not a private matter THE devil finds work for idle hands - so while home on the Isle of Lewis on holiday, I contacted the political parties to ask just where their Highlands and Islands candidates stood on the issue of CalMac privatisation.
Not a private matter
The devil finds work for idle hands and leaving the celebs hanging about allows their emotions and insecurities to run riot.
The devil's in the lack of detail
While convicted rioters are facing stiff penalties in the courts, the saying that the devil finds work for idle hands remains as true as ever.
Project with possibility; ECHO
It's an old saying that the Devil finds work for idle hands. And one side-affect of truancy is that children not only fail to learn skills that will help them lead fulfilling lives, they can slip into crime too.
The Evening Gazette says
"The devil finds work for idle hands to do," is a wise adage.
Nowhere to go ( nothing to do
He said: "The devil finds work for idle hands. Many kids get up to mischief when what is needed is an alternative outlet for their energies."
Out of the house..and OUT OF CONTROL; EXPERTS CLAIM OUR ROWDY KIDS DON'T SPEND ENOUGH TIME WITH THEIR FAMILIES Teenagers in Scotland are among most violent in the world, says report