poor devil

Object of sympathy

A poor devil is someone deserving of pity or sympathy, often because of misfortune or difficult circumstances: The poor devil lost everything in the fire.

The phrase expresses compassion tinged with mild condescension—you feel sorry for someone while also distancing yourself from their troubles.

Sometimes used self-deprecatingly: I'm just a poor devil trying to make a living.

Related

hapless · indigent · pitiful · scapegoat · sad case · sad sack · destitute · fallen on hard times · ill-fated · unlucky · underdog · oppressed · struggling · hard done by · forlorn · martyr · stricken · miserable

Opposites
fortune and circumstances

poor devillucky dog

Enviably blessed person

lucky devil · lucky stiff · golden boy · golden girl · winner

sympathy evoked

poor deviltop dog

Dominant leader

toast of the town · big shot · fat cat · kingpin · golden child

power and agency

poor devilconqueror

Victor who takes control

big cheese · man in charge · kingpin · mover and shaker · self-made man

Family

poor, devil, poorer, poorest, poorly, poorness, impoverish, impoverished, impoverishment

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Negative · Everyday, not technical · Rated G