What does devil mean in this context?

[Grigory Perelman]

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #70 "What the Devil", question 1

It's very hard trying to get the tenses right in English. In fact it's the ......... devil to know whether it's simple or continuous.

(a) same
(b) very
(c) usual
(d) actual

English Language Proficiency Tests, Advanced Level

ESL/EFL Test #70 "What the Devil", answer 1

It's very hard trying to get the tenses right in English. In fact it's the very devil to know whether it's simple or continuous.

Correct answer: (b) very
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What does devil mean in this context?

Grigory Perelman

[Alan]

Hi,

Meanings associated with devil usually indicate something evil. In the expression 'the very devil' the suggestion is that this is something very difficult and annoying.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
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