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If you're at a meeting, for example, and everyone agrees about something, one person may say, "Let me play (or be) the devil's advocate and give a different opinion."
This helps people discuss the ideas and give the idea more consideration.When playing the devil's advocate - and notice we use the verb "to play" with this expression - in playing the devil's advocate, Hannah says that her focus groups weren't very interested in design and asks Chris why he is suggesting that the company offer the product in more colors.
Chris responds, or answers her by saying, "I can see your point, but we think that having more colors will raise sales at least a little bit."The phrase, "I can see your point, but…" is used to mean, "I understand what you're saying, but I disagree with you," or "I understand your opinion, but I think you need to consider (or think about) something else."
Chris means that he has heard and understood what Hannah said, but he has a different opinion: he thinks that having more colors will raise, or increase, sales.Chris also says that the company can offer the product in more colors without raising cost, meaning it would not cost the company more money.
Hannah then says, "Oh, I see," meaning "I understand."She says, "That clears things up for me. Thanks."
"To clear things up" means to clarify, to make things easier to understand.I hope that I'm clearing things up by talking about the vocabulary used in this meeting.
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