Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sell-your-soul-to-the-devil
idiom
/sɛl jʊər soʊl tə ðə ˈdɛvəl/
Definition
To make a bargain or deal with evil, sacrificing one’s integrity, values, or morals for personal gain.
Examples
- He felt like he had to sell his soul to the devil to reach the top of the corporate ladder.
- Her decision to cheat on the exam seemed like she was selling her soul to the devil.
- Many believe that artists who achieve fame too quickly may have sold their soul to the devil.
Meaning
This phrase often refers to giving up something fundamentally important, such as one’s principles or ethics, in exchange for wealth, power, or success.
Synonyms
- make a Faustian bargain
- compromise one’s values
- betray oneself
