Play devil's advocate

Meaning

Argue an opposing view for debate purposes.

Usage

Used in meetings to reveal weaknesses.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Roman Catholic canonization role assigned to a critic.

Late 16th-century religious procedure adopted into secular debate.