...compared...

[emsr2d2]

Sorry, I simply meant that when I asked 5jj if he thought that his example could mean something completely different, I was just being "Devil's Advocate". The definition makes it sounds a little worse than it actually is, as if I was trying to provoke an argument. Although that is the main definition, we use it simply when someone brings up a question or a statement trying to get someone to look at the other side of an argument, or to actually say that they believe the opposite. It isn't always done just to make an annoying point.

"and all that" is something that colloquially we add to the end of a statement if we have missed out some information that we think the listener can probably work out for themselves. For example, we have a proverb "People [who live] in glass houses shouldn't throw stones". You will hear people say "People in glass houses and all that". They see no need to say the whole proverb and they are certain that the listener knows the proverb and can tack the last bit on for themselves without anyone need to actually say it. They could of course say "People in glass houses ..." and leave it hanging at the end. Again, the listener will know what they mean.

[Ju]

Hi emsr2d2,

Can you explain what does Devil's advocate and all that mean?

Thank you,

Hi,

I have just found the old thread dated Nov 21, 2004 which guided me to the link http://www.usingenglish.com/referenc....php?idiom=469 that was not found anymore. Can anyone tell me what Devil's advocate and all that mean?

Thank you.

[5jj]

Can anyone tell me what Devil's advocate and all that mean?

Did you read ems's last post?

[emsr2d2]

Have you read post #11?

[Ju]

Thank you. I've just read it.