sup with the devil

sup with the devil

To associate or deal with a particularly malicious, immoral, or unscrupulous person or people; to commit malicious, immoral, or unscrupulous acts. ("Sup" means to eat or have supper.) Primarily heard in UK. Once considered one of the most straight-laced politicians in England, it's come to light that the former Health Secretary has been supping with the devil for years, giving pharmaceutical companies special privileges in exchange for sizable kickbacks. She has been accused of supping with the devil after the activist was spotted having dinner with the CEO of one of the conglomerations her charity opposes.
See also: devil, sup

sup (or dine) with the devil

have dealings with a cunning or malevolent person.
The proverb he who sups with the devil should have a long spoon is used especially to urge someone dealing with a person of this type to take care.
See also: devil, sup
References in periodicals archive ?
Judge Robert Warnock, sentencing, told Knight: "Those who sup with the devil must use a very long spoon.
Wardrobe grenade blast led to PS1.6m drugs haul
To pursue his ideals he's willing to sup with the devil.
'There is no reason for postal workers to strike'
They forgot the old adage: "If you sup with the devil, you must use a long spoon".
MP's too late to be forgiven; Views of the North
The feeling is, if he had anything about him, he would have walked long ago, but he continues to sup with the devil as he waits for a lucrative pay-off.
Toon fans need to hit Ashleyin the pocket.. then he'll listen
It is man's soul, ever curious, ever in turmoil, which keeps trying to lead him astray, while it is his body, ever frail, ever conscious of its limitations, which insists on bringing along the long spoon when it's time to sup with the devil.
Time and tide
They get so blinded by the urge to please their foreign sponsors that even if it means supping with the devil without a long spoon, they will still sup with the devil.
Why are we so blessed? "Europe was created by history. America was created by philosophy"--Margaret Thatcher
They say if you sup with the Devil, you need a long spoon.
Sup with the Devil
When they agreed to form the Coalition, they decided to sup with the devil - without taking a long spoon.
Now here's a cunning plan
His first encounter immediately dispelled his father's words of caution - "when you sup with the devil make sure you do it with a long spoon" - as Lord Huntingdon, at the time trainer to the Queen, not only was warm and welcoming to this newcomer to the sport, but acquired for him one of Her Majesty's cast-offs for just 9,000gns.
Memories run deep as Van Hoorn flies flag for Dutch; I GOTTA HORSE An owner who survived a harrowing childhood experience has proved a friend to punters who follow his colours, but for him betting is a bridge tooR far
Amongst those measures was a pragmatic willingness to sup with the devil, Stalin, in order to defeat Nazism.
Good and Evil in World War II
The Lib Dems should remember that when you sup with the devil, you need a long spoon.
Lib Dems'early promise broken on back of Tory exploitation; viewpoint
WHEN you sup with the Devil, the old saying goes, use a long spoon.
Gaddafi, the puppetmaster
If you sup with the devil you must use a long spoon.
If only his pay claims were right
Let us hope the Prime Minister has not forgotten that when you sup with the devil you need a very long spoon.
When you sup with the devil you need a very long spoon
As the saying goes when you sup with the devil best use a long spoon.
Why Matt needn't be finis he d
Idioms browser ?
Full browser ?