What does “Needs must be when the devil drives.” mean?
"Needs must be when the devil drives" means that when a situation is dire or urgent, people must do what is necessary to survive, even if it goes against their principles.
What context can I use the in?
Example
In times of desperation, people often find themselves doing things they never thought they would. Needs must be when the devil drives.
Example
When faced with a life or death situation, people are willing to compromise their values and do whatever it takes to survive. Needs must be when the devil drives.
Example
Sometimes, circumstances force us to make difficult choices that we would never consider under normal circumstances. *Needs must be when the devil drives.
Is “Needs must be when the devil drives.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Needs must be when the devil drives.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Needs must be when the devil drives.” effectively in context?
You can use "Needs must be when the devil drives" to emphasize the idea that in dire or urgent situations, people must do what is necessary to survive, even if it goes against their principles. For example, if someone is criticizing another person's actions during a crisis, you might say, 'In times of desperation, people often find themselves doing things they never thought they would. "Needs must be when the devil drives."'
- 1Survival
When faced with a life or death situation, people are willing to compromise their values and do whatever it takes to survive. Needs must be when the devil drives.
- 2Difficult Choices
Sometimes, circumstances force us to make difficult choices that we would never consider under normal circumstances. Needs must be when the devil drives.
- 3Urgency
In times of extreme urgency, people may have to act in ways that they would not normally condone. Needs must be when the devil drives.
Similar phrases to “Needs must be when the devil drives.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Needs must be when the devil drives.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Needs must be when the devil drives" is unknown.
Is “Needs must be when the devil drives.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Needs must be when the devil drives" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is an older proverb that is less frequently used in modern language.
What tone does “Needs must be when the devil drives.” have?
"Needs must be when the devil drives" conveys a tone of resignation and acceptance. It acknowledges the difficult choices people may have to make in desperate situations.
Can “Needs must be when the devil drives.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Needs must be when the devil drives" is more formal in nature. It is not commonly used in casual conversations but may be used in more serious or literary contexts.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'In times of desperation, people often find themselves doing things they never thought they would. "Needs must be when the devil drives."' However, in some cases, it can be understood even if used alone, such as saying '"Needs must be when the devil drives"' to imply the need for drastic action in a dire situation.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
- necessity knows no law
- desperate times call for desperate measures
- when push comes to shove
- in dire straits, one must do what is necessary
- when faced with adversity, one must adapt
Antonyms
- stick to one's principles
- hold onto one's values
- refuse to compromise
- maintain one's integrity
- stay true to oneself
