devil lies in the details
Synonym of devil is in the details.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The plan looks good, but the devil lies in the details.”
“We agreed on the main goals, but we need to review the contract because the devil lies in the details.”
“While the project proposal seemed flawless at first glance, the team soon discovered that the devil lies in the details when they began the actual implementation phase.”
- 01
blue devils
Low spirits; depression.
- 02
dance with the devil
To engage in risky and immoral behavior.
- 03
devil dancing
Risky, reckless or potentially immoral behavior.
- 04
devil in disguise
A person or thing that appears to be good, honest, or upstanding, but is inherently nasty, evil, or damaging.
- 05
devil's advocate
One who debates from a viewpoint which one may not actually hold, usually to determine its validity or simply for the sake of argument.
- 06
devil's luck
astounding good luck.
- 07
folk devil
A person or type of person blamed by the public for various ills, as during a moral panic.
- 08
give the devil his due
To acknowledge the positive qualities of a person who is unpleasant or disliked.
Last updated August 10, 2026