deal with the devil
Soul for power
A deal with the devil is a bargain in which someone gains something desirable—wealth, power, success—in exchange for their soul or moral integrity.
The phrase comes from legends of people literally contracting with Satan, most famously Faust.
Now used figuratively for any compromise where short-term gain comes at a terrible long-term cost: Taking that job felt like a deal with the devil.
Also called a Faustian bargain.
Formal agreement between parties
- MephistophelesSoul-bargaining demon
- FaustLegendary deal-with-devil maker
- damnationEternal punishment decree
- perditionEternal spiritual ruin
infernal · bargain · eternal · Lucifer · hellfire · crossroads · Robert Johnson · forbidden
Favorable purchase price
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- strings attachedHidden conditions on offers
- fine printMiniature contractual text
catch · hidden cost · regret · backfire · trap · snare · too good to be true · costly
Internal moral sense
- ethicsStudy of right conduct
- quandaryState of perplexity
- dilemmaForced choice between undesirables
- crossroadsMeeting of routes
choice · scruples · guilt · integrity · principles · compromise · sellout · betrayal
Enticing someone romantically
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- enticementSomething that attracts
- lureThing that tempts
- siren callDangerously seductive appeal
forbidden fruit · desire · greed · ambition · power · shortcut · covet · indulgence
pact
Formal agreement between parties
- MephistophelesSoul-bargaining demon
- FaustLegendary deal-with-devil maker
- damnationEternal punishment decree
perdition · infernal · bargain · eternal · Lucifer · hellfire · crossroads · Robert Johnson · forbidden · conjure
bargain
Favorable purchase price
- trade-offExchange requiring sacrifice
- compromiseAgreement through mutual sacrifice
- strings attachedHidden conditions on offers
fine print · catch · hidden cost · regret · backfire · trap · snare · too good to be true · costly · reckoning
conscience
Internal moral sense
crossroads · choice · scruples · guilt · integrity · principles · compromise · sellout · betrayal · regret
seduction
Enticing someone romantically
- allureAttractive, tempting quality
- enticementSomething that attracts
- lureThing that tempts
siren call · forbidden fruit · desire · greed · ambition · power · shortcut · covet · indulgence · charm
deal with the devildivine grace
Unmerited favor from deity
answered prayer · sacred covenant · miracle · holy sacrament · divine favor
deal with the devilsalvation
Deliverance from harm
redemption · deliverance · noble sacrifice · martyrdom · eternal life
deal, dealt, dealing, dealer, dealers, dealership, with, devil, devils