The Miranda Priestly quotes in The Devil Wears Prada cement her as one of the most entertaining movie villains ever. As the Editor-in-Chief of the fictional Runway magazine, Priestly (Meryl Streep) is ruthless and merciless as she dishes out her savage one-liners. She treats the people who work for her like objects with no feelings and expects every one of her demands to be met, no questions asked. When Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway), comes to fill the role of her assistant, she learns firsthand how fierce Miranda can be.
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The Devil Wears Prada will never go out of fashion, and it’s all thanks to Miranda Priestly’s verbal gems. Streep’s pitch-perfect performance will see Priestly go down as one of the all-time great bad bosses of movie history, especially because Streep gives her an important degree of humanity. Fans of the movie love to use even the coldest Miranda Priestly quotes in day-to-day life because there’s something undeniably compelling about her uncompromising attitude, even when it’s unreasonable. With The Devil Wears Prada 2 moving forward, many fans are revisiting these memorable quotes.
25 “That Blue Represents Millions Of Dollars And Countless Jobs.”
Miranda Weaponizes Her Knowledge
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Despite how tyrannical her management style is and how brutal her words can be, Andy comes to respect Mirana by the end of The Devil Wears Prada. Viewers do too, though for audiences, the point that they understand who Miranda is and why she’s held in such high regard by those around her despite her beyond-abrasive personality comes much earlier. Miranda Priestly is an incredibly endearing character, and this is only possible because her venom is matched by her competency and thorough knowledge of her field.
This becomes evident relatively early on in The Devil Wears Prada, and one of the best quotes in the movie comes in the form of a monologue where Miranda shows Andy that she didn’t reach the position of editor-in-chief by bullying her way to the top. As Andy learns, Miranda’s knowledge of both fashion and the fashion industry is beyond thorough. While her observation that Andy’s simple sweater is anything but simple, the full power of this moment can only really be appreciated with the entire monologue:
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(To Andy)
You go to your closet and you select, I don’t know, that lumpy blue sweater, for instance, because you’re trying to tell the world that you take yourself too seriously to care about what you put on your back. But what you don’t know is that that sweater is not just blue, it’s not turquoise, it’s not lapis, it’s actually cerulean. And you’re also blithely unaware of the fact that in 2002, Oscar de la Renta did a collection of cerulean gowns. And then I think it was Yves Saint Laurent, wasn’t it, who showed cerulean military jackets?
(To Nigel)
I think we need a jacket here.
(To Andy)
And then cerulean quickly showed up in the collections of eight different designers. And then it, uh, filtered down through the department stores, and then trickled on down into some tragic Casual Corner where you, no doubt, fished it out of some clearance bin. However, that blue represents millions of dollars and countless jobs. And it’s sort of comical how you think that you’ve made a choice that exempts you from the fashion industry when, in fact, you’re wearing the sweater that was selected for you by the people in this room… from a pile of “stuff”.
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24 “Oh, Please… It’s Just – I Don’t Know – Drizzling.”
Even Nature Can’t Phase Miranda Priestly
Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada is something of a force of nature. She never stops or allows anything to derail her, and those around her are completely unable to prevent themselves from being caught up in the the momentum of her unwavering drive and determination. That’s why one of the best The Devil Wears Prada Miranda quotes comes when this metaphorical force of nature is completely undeterred by the presence of a literal one.
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Much to Miranda’s annoyance, her flight from Miami is canceled due to a hurricane. The raging storm is clearly visible through the window when she phones Andy to demand a solution to the problem. While the whole interaction is incredibly funny, and the perfect example of what makes Miranda so great as a character, it’s her description of the gale force winds as simply “drizzling” that makes for the unforgettable punchline of the exchange. To Miranda Priestly, a hurricane is a mere annoyance, and a problem she ranks on the same level as missing her morning coffee (and one she equally expects her subordinates to be able to resolve just as easily too).
23 “Oh God. Get Away From Her, She’s Useless. And Unattractive.”
Subtlety Isn’t Something Miranda Has Time For
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Not only does Miranda Priestly seem to know everything about fashion and the industry, she also appears to be aware of literally everyone working within it, no matter how influential (or, in this case, uninfluential) they are. When Andy is at the CK Showroom she speaks to Miranda on the phone, and Andy’s uncompromising boss wastes no time in showing just her venomous she can be when she realizes the conversation the call interrupted wasn’t between Andy and Ivan.
Instead, Andy is talking to Liz (Sarah Rafferty). For Miranda, this simply won’t do, and she tells Andy to promptly go and find the mysterious Ivan instead. However, Miranda being Miranda, she does this only after bluntly telling Andy just what she thinks of Liz. The comment is incredibly harsh, though also is a great The Devil Wears Prada quote as it demonstrates just how brutal Miranda can be, and was a sign that she respected Andy because, if she didn’t, she’d have let Andy know incredibly quickly.
22 “You Are Very Fetching. So, Go Fetch.”
Harmless Turns Of Phrase Are Dangerous When Speaking To Miranda
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One of the most touching aspects of The Devil Wears Prada are the moments that Miranda’s tough exterior is peeled back, and she reveals herself to be just as vulnerable as Andy in many ways. This is most evident when it comes to Miranda’s husband, Stephen. Stephen files for divorce while Andy and Miranda are in Paris. While Miranda initially appears unphased by the news, the uncaring facade soon cracks. When speaking to Miranda in the hotel, Andy asks Miranda if the divorce means she doesn’t have to “fetch” Stephen from the airport.
Miranda responds by saying “Well, if you speak to him and he decides to rethink the divorce, then yes, fetch away. You are very fetching. So, go fetch.” The unnecessary meanness of this The Devil Wears Prada quote, prompted by nothing by Andy’s choice of words, reveals just how troubled Miranda really is about the breakdown of her marriage. What’s more, the moment is thematically punctuated visually by Meryl Streep not having any makeup and wearing comfortable clothes – a complete juxtaposition to the Miranda Priestly seen in every other The Devil Wears Prada scene.
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21 “Go!”
Miranda Gets The Last Word
One of the most memorable Miranda Priestly quotes in The Devil Wears Prada is among the best lines of the film not because of the words used, but because of the context. Miranda telling her driver to “go!” at the end of the movie isn’t a heartwarming moment because of what Miranda says, but because of what happens just before, and because it shows just how quickly she can turn her stony professional persona on and off.
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During the final moments of The Devil Wears Prada, Miranda sees Andy outside the Runway magazine offices. Andy waves, but Miranda doesn’t return the gesture. However, once in her car, she smiles to herself, showing just how fond of Andy she really is and that, underneath her exterior as an unrelenting workplace tyrant, she has feelings and emotions like everyone else. Then, just as quickly as the facade is dropped, Miranda snaps back to the titular devil in Prada, commanding her driver to take her where she needs to be with the same palpable authority that makes her such an iconic Meryl Streep character.
20 “I Asked For Clear, Athletic, Smiley. She Sent Me Dirty, Tired And Paunchy.”
On Disappointing Models
There is a nice buildup early in the movie about how difficult Miranda is as a boss. Before she’s even introduced, her employees scurry in fear and make a mad dash to ensure everything is as close to perfect as can be for her much-dreaded arrival at the office. From the first moment Meryl Streep is on-screen, she nails the character as Miranda enters the movie spewing impossible demands and complaining about everything around her.
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Speaking about a model who was chosen for a new campaign proves that Miranda is not only hard to please but can also be quite cruel as well. Yet these opening moments show why Miranda has become such an icon in The Devil Wears Prada movie and the musical that followed. Streep delivers the line as if someone else’s appearance is a hardship she is forced to endure.
US
Vogue
editor Anna Wintour is thought to be the inspiration for Miranda Priestly.
19 “I Had Hope. Anyway, You Ended Up Disappointing Me More Than Any Of The Other Silly Girls.”
On Taking A Chance With Andy
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There is something special in Andy that Miranda sees when she hires her for the assistant job, even if so much about Andy suggests she is the wrong person to work in the fashion industry. However, despite taking a chance on her, Miranda doesn’t go any easier on Andy and she makes her disappointment with her new employee crystal lear.
After explaining what she first saw in Andy that made her choose her, Miranda delivers a scathing and brutal takedown of the young woman, taking away any sense of kindness or compassion she might have shown in hiring her in the first place. Streep’s villainous turn in The Devil Wears Prada works because of how grounded she makes Miranda. She creates an aura around her that causes the audience to want her to be impressed with Andy as much as Andy herself does. However, that makes her cruelty all the more impactful.
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18 “Find Me That Piece Of Paper I Had In My Hand Yesterday Morning.”
On A Strange Request
Miranda Priestly expects a lot, often the impossible, from her staff, especially her assistants. Her assistants should be able to read her mind and anticipate her every need, like finding some random piece of paper she was holding the day before. It’s not a normal request in any other world, only in Miranda’s, and she’ll be upset with her assistants if they can’t figure out what she’s asking for on the first try.
Never for a moment does she feel unreasonable about her behavior. While there is a lot of excitement about The Devil Wears Prada sequel, it would be just as exciting to see a prequel to show how a person can become as detached from reality and impossible as Miranda has. The problem would be finding someone who can nail the coldness and humor of Miranda the way Streep does.
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17 “There You Are, Emily. How Many Times Do I Have To Scream Your Name?”
On Andy’s Other Name
When Andy starts working as Miranda’s assistant, Miranda only refers to her as Emily, which Andy obviously doesn’t answer to on her first day. Miranda screams the name Emily from her office until the main assistant called Emily (Emily Blunt), tells Andy that it’s actually her she’s asking for. Andy runs into the room to try as Miranda wonders why calling the wrong name doesn’t get an immediate reaction.
It is the simplest way Miranda shows how little she cares for her employees and there is a sense that she may actually know that it is not the right name but can’t be bothered to learn the right one. Meryl Streep’s most iconic movies feature some heavy and intense dramas, but her performance in The Devil Wears Prada was a wonderful reminder that she is also a gifted comedic actor, delivering these lines in a perfect deadpan way.
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16 “The Tales Of Your Incompetence Do Not Interest Me.”
On Emily’s Excuses
Another one of the standout members of The Devil Wears Prada cast is Emily Blunt who shines in the role of Emily. While she is immediately an abrasive and hostile person when it comes to greeting Andy at the new job, it is also not hard to feel sorry for her as soon as the audience sees how she is treated by Miranda. When an appointment needs to be rescheduled due to a medical emergency, Miranda unfathomably suggests that it is Emily’s fault.
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The moment Emily tries to defend herself, Miranda makes it clear that she only wants to complain about the issue; she doesn’t want to hear the rational reasons behind it. This line is a great look at how Miranda keeps herself in a bubble in which she is always right and everyone else is always wrong. While she spends the day bemoaning about every aspect of her life, she refuses to listen to the problems of others or consider for a moment that she is wrong.
15 “And This Layout For The Winter Wonderland Spread. Not Wonderful Yet.”
On Her Team’s Disappointing Work
Miranda isn’t afraid to let her opinions be known in a typically harsh and mocking way, and she rarely gives any positive feedback to offset her typical negative responses to other people’s work. Though it certainly isn’t the harshest response, the way she delivers it with a condescending tone adds to the coldness. Every Runway employee works extremely hard at their job, and putting together a spread for Miranda’s approval, only to be shot down by her within seconds, must hurt.
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It is a simple line that might not seem like it has much bite, but that is a testament to Meryl Streep’s performance in the role. She is able to deliver these lines with such a cold and dismissive tone that they become some of the meanest things ever said. There is another great detail in her performance when she is insulting like this. She rarely ever looks at the person she is talking to as if they don’t deserve to be acknowledged by her.
14 “Did You Fall Down And Smack Your Little Head On The Pavement?”
On Andy’s Simply Misunderstanding
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Miranda Priestly’s lack of humanity toward those around her might be a persona she adopts to some degree, but there is a sense she only cares about whether they’re getting their job done. If they can’t do their job absolutely perfectly, then they’re deemed incompetent and will be fired immediately without any remorse. However, there are also moments in which she goes out of her way to be malicious and cruel because of the power she has over people.
When Andy attempts to apologize to Miranda for a small breach of etiquette, Miranda interrupts her and demands she go get the new Harry Potter book. When Andy tells her she’ll go down to the bookstore, Miranda asks this question as if that was the most foolish response Andy could have given. She then explains that she meant “new” as in the one that has not been published yet. Miranda clearly knows Andy will not make that assumption but still uses it as an excuse to insult her because she wants to feel her own power.
13 “Is There Some Reason That My Coffee Isn’t Here? Has She Died Or Something?”
On Her Missing Coffee
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This Miranda Priestly quote perfectly sums up what she expects of her staff. If a person has a job to do at Runway, even if it’s as trivial as getting coffee, they better do it. Miranda is basically saying that the only possible reason why someone wouldn’t meet her demands is if they died. On that note, the lack of emotion Miranda says it with makes it pretty clear how little she actually cares about her staff. She speaks as if it wouldn’t be a tragedy if her assistant were to die — it would be just an inconvenience.
Throughout the movie, Andy, Emily, and Miranda’s other employees go above and beyond to meet Miranda’s wild expectations. They sacrifice so much, even their health in some cases. Yet it is clear that Miranda will never be grateful and that she will always expect them to do more until they physically can’t, at which point she will have no use for them.
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12 “Is It Impossible To Find A Lovely Slender Female Paratrooper?”
On Her Close-Minded View Of Beauty
There are so many great movies set in the fashion industry and most of them make it a point of showing that the world can be vain when it comes to looks and appearances. This is no secret to the general public either, but it makes for some memorable quotes from Miranda when she aims her mean-spirited gaze at people. When discussing a magazine article about female paratroopers, she complains that none of them meet her definition of beauty and acts as if she is being reasonable to insist that they do.
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It is a look into her strange mind as she feels it is the world’s job to be beautiful for her. Miranda sees herself as a genius and an unparalleled mind in the fashion world. However, it is a quote like this that makes it hard to really take her seriously, as she cannot even accept the world as it is without it being brought up to a standard with which she is satisfied.
11 “You Have No Sense Of Fashion.”
On Andy’s Style
Miranda Priestly doesn’t sugarcoat anything. She’s not afraid of being honest, so when Andy walks into her office with a far less put-together outfit than what the usual Runway staff members wear, Miranda takes the time to point out all of Andy’s flaws, and why she is wrong for the job. One point she lists is Andy’s lack of fashion. When Andy begins to protest, Miranda calmly and coldly says, “No, no. That wasn’t a question.”
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There are a lot of actors who would have portrayed Miranda’s harsher qualities in a more over-the-top way, having her screaming at her employees and delivering these lines with a cruel menace. Meryl Streep has the brilliant instinct to downplay the delivery, making Miranda seem uninterested in the people around her, even when she is insulting them to their faces.
The
Devil Wears Prada
producers were met with pushback at Streep’s casting because many didn’t believe she could be funny (via
Variety
).
10 “By All Means, Move At A Glacial Pace. You Know How That Thrills Me.”
On Andy’s Slowness
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Miranda Priestly would be a terrible boss to work for, but as a viewer watching from afar, it is hard to deny that she’s entertaining. When she makes comments like this, the audience has to admire her wit and boldness. When Miranda says this to Andy, her character is actually going through quite an emotional time, having just found out that her romantic relationship is coming to an end. Even in the face of the breakdown of Andy’s love life, Miranda still has the ability to be totally savage.
Once again, it is Meryl Streep’s delivery that elevates the quote, bringing a dry sense of humor to the harsh role. She loves to exaggerate every slight inconvenience or hint of an inconvenience that she comes across, not because it actually stalls her work but because she enjoys putting people down.
9 “The Girls Need New Surfboards Or Boogie Boards Or Something For Spring Break.”
On Gifts For Her Daughters
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While Rachel McAdams turned down The Devil Wears Prada role, Anne Hathaway makes for a pitch-perfect Andy Sachs, a protagonist whose rational and reasonable view of the world is refreshing and worth rooting for, even as the stress of working for Miranda Priestly gets to her. The audience sympathizes with her mission as she is put through endless hoops of delusional tasks she doesn’t have a hope of completing.
Miranda’s almost absent-minded demand that Andy gets some spring break gear for her daughters without really knowing the specifics suggests that she expects her assistant to know her daughters better than Miranda herself does. It is also a hint of Miranda’s troubled life at home as there is a sense that she wants to please her daughters but that she thinks the only way to do so is by buying them things.
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8 “We Have All The Published Harry Potter Books. The Twins Want To Know What Happens Next.”
On Andy’s Latest Task
Miranda’s impossible demands might be humorous for Andy if the consequences for not achieving them were not so brutal. In this instance, it is the equivalent of modern-day Herculean tasks as she’s effectively asking Andy to secure the unpublished Harry Potter manuscript (at a time before the series was complete). Miranda gives Andy this seemingly impossible task because she thinks it will give her a reason to fire her when she can’t complete it, but Andy comes through in the end, defying the odds to get the manuscript.
This could be seen as another example of Miranda attempting to win her daughters over through material possessions. However, it is more about her holding power over Andy. She knows that this is an impossible task and that it is not reasonable to ask for it. However, Miranda does it because she wants to show that Andy will do anything she demands of her.
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7 “And R.S.V.P. Yes To Michael Kors’ Party, I Want The Driver To Drop Me Off At 9:30 And Pick Me Up At 9:45 Sharp.”
On Her Social Calendar
The Devil Wears Prada is the kind of rewatchable comedy that will have fans finding new jokes the more they watch it. Miranda delivers this line quickly in between a whole set of other instructions, so it’s kind of easy to miss. However, it is a hilarious look at the social life of these iconic figures and the lack of interest Miranda has for anything. Asking her assistant to ask her driver to drop her off at a party at 9:30 and pick her up at 9:45 means Miranda only plans to stay for 15 minutes.
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It shows how she fulfills social obligations when they’re expected of her but really has no desire to socialize, even with the likes of Michael Kors’ people, unless she has to. While The Devil Wears Prada book gets deeper into the character of Miranda and shows other sides to her, sometimes it is simple lines like this that can say a lot about the character in such a quick amount of time.
6 “Florals? For Spring? Groundbreaking.”
On Her Employee’s Ideas
She has her moments of anger throughout the film, but mostly, Miranda Priestly is at her most brutal when she is quiet, calm, and sarcastic. Though she is the kind of creative type who would probably dismiss any idea as terrible unless she came up with it, she also seems to have fun brutally pointing out the flaws in other people’s work. When florals are mentioned as a potential theme during a meeting about a spring issue, Miranda points out how boring the idea is.
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There is no pleasing a boss like this. Even when Andy or anybody else does something right, Miranda doesn’t actually acknowledge it. It makes for an entertaining film but would be totally frustrating in real life. The moment has become a popular meme as well, used to sarcastically comment on any uninspired idea.