play the devil with someone/something

play the devil with (something)

To ruin or cause serious damage to something; to greatly upset, disrupt, or negatively affect something. Lack of oversight allowed overzealous investment bankers to play the devil with the economy. I love wine, but it plays the devil with my stomach!See also: devil, play

play the devil with someone/something

verbSee play hell with someone/somethingSee also: devil, play, someone, something