Devil's Advocate
DEV-ulz AD-vuh-kutnoun
What it means
A person who raises objections they do not hold, in order to delay a decision they dislike without being held responsible for delaying it.
What it actually means
I am blocking this from a safe distance.
How it is used in a sentence
"Let me play devil's advocate — what happens if this succeeds?"
Filed under
Business Bafflegab — Language engineered so that nothing is ever anyone’s fault and no decision is ever final.
Euphemism — The phrase hides something specific. We decode it.
Related entries
Align
Business Bafflegabuh-LYNverbEuphemism
To secure agreement by scheduling the same conversation four times, until the objections are too tired to attend.
Real meaningWe will keep meeting until you stop disagreeing.
We Heard You
Business Bafflegabwee hurd yoophraseEuphemism
A response to feedback confirming that the feedback was received, logged, and will be outlived by the problem.
Real meaningNothing is going to change.