Idiom
The devil is in the details
The devil is in the details means that small, easily overlooked details can cause big problems, so they deserve careful attention.
How people use it
People say it when a plan looks simple in outline but the fine print or practical steps are where things can go wrong: "The idea is great, but the devil is in the details." It is common in talk about contracts, budgets, new rules and projects. British speakers often say "the devil is in the detail." The tone is neutral and fits business and news writing. It warns about hidden difficulty; it doesn't mean the details are evil or that someone is being sneaky.
Also said: the devil is in the detail.
Examples
- Moving abroad sounds exciting, but the devil is in the details: visas, taxes and finding a school.
- Both clubs agreed on the trade, but the devil is in the details of the contracts.
- The recipe looks easy, but the devil is in the details, like letting the dough rest overnight.
Where it comes from
An older saying, "God is in the details," meant that care with small things is what makes work excellent. It has been credited to several people, including the French novelist Gustave Flaubert and the architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, but no source is certain. The devil version, with its warning about hidden problems, became common in the second half of the 1900s.
Check yourself
1. What does the devil is in the details warn you about?
Answer: Small details can cause big problems. The saying means hidden problems often lie in the small, specific parts of a plan.
2. Which sentence uses the saying correctly?
Answer: The new schedule sounds simple, but the devil is in the details.. It fits a plan that looks easy overall but may hide tricky specifics.
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