From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishlittle/old devillittle/old devilspoken used to talk about a child or an older man who behaves badly, but who you like He’s a naughty little devil. I really miss the old devil. → devil
Examples from the Corpus
little/old devil• Impotent old devils and dried-up hags always deride the efforts of the young.• So much, thought Blanche, for flirting with the lascivious old devil.• There was one old devil with red eyes.• Not that he's the worst of them, poor old devil.• I really miss the old devil.• Indeed, I worship the little devil, but only as a travelling companion.• A true old devil, Manson vanishes in a puff of smoke. 