What does the saying needs must when the devil drives mean?

What does the saying needs must when the devil drives mean? From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishneeds must (when the devil drives)needs must (when the devil drives)British English used to say that you must sometimes

What does the saying needs must when the devil drives mean?

From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishneeds must (when the devil drives)needs must (when the devil drives)British English used to say that you must sometimes do things that you do not like doing It’s not the most comfortable way to travel, but needs must.

Who said needs must when the devil drives?

This is a shortened form of the proverb needs must when the Devil drives , which is first found in a work by the medieval author John Lydgate .

Is must need correct?

The correct phrase is “must needs” = must, of necessity.

Is it if need be or if needs be?

Definition of ‘if need be/if needs be’ If you say that you will do something, especially an extreme action, if need be, you mean that you will do if it is necessary. In British English, you can also say if needs be.

Is much-needed correct?

Use the phrase as an adjective, and hyphenation is preferred. Use “needed” as an appositive (subjective complement) with “much” as a modifier, and it works with or without the hyphen. “This is a much-needed change.”

How do you use must needs in a sentence?

1. He must needs go whom the devil drives. 2. He must needs swim that is held up by the chin.

Is if needs be correct?

If you say that you will do something, especially an extreme action, if need be, you mean that you will do if it is necessary. In British English, you can also say if needs be.

How do you use if needed?

If Needed In A Sentence

  1. There was unlimited money to be spent in bribes if needed.
  2. If needed he may bring you in also to strengthen the case.
  3. Afterwards, if needed, some excuse.
  4. We’re standing by for a fast run if needed.
  5. Reproof, if needed, should be administered to each child singly and alone.

Is much needed proper English?

How do you write much needed?

“Much-needed” and “well-known” pop up quite a lot too, but note that these are hyphenated only when (1) appearing directly before the noun described or (2) following a form of the verb “to be.” WRONG: His early spark, much-needed since the team’s serious slump, proved insufficient as the game wore on.

What’s a word for must have?

What is another word for must-have?

essential necessary
vital requisite
required critical
indispensable needed
imperative integral

Is it grammatically correct must need?

The correct phrase is “must needs” = must, of necessity. The only idiom I know with needs must is “Needs must when the Devil drives.”

When does needs must when the Devil Drives?

Sometimes you have to do something you would rather not. ‘When needs must, the saying goes, the devil drives.’

What does Shakespeare mean when the Devil Drives?

The Shakespearean wording makes the meaning clearer: if the devil drives you, you have no choice but to go, or in other words, sometimes events compel you to do something you would much rather not.

Where does the phrase’he must nedys go’come from?

The phrase is old. In earlier texts it is almost always given in its fuller form – needs must when the devil drives. that is, if the devil is driving you, you have no choice. This dates back to Middle English texts, for example Assembly of Gods, circa 1500: “He must nedys go that the deuell dryues.”.

When did Shakespeare use the phrase’needs must’?

Shakespeare used the phrase several times; for example, in All’s Well That Ends Well, 1601: Countess: Tell me thy reason why thou wilt marry. Clown: My poor body, madam, requires it: I am driven on by the flesh; and he must needs go that the devil drives.