the devil is in the details
The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“The plan sounds easy, but the devil is in the details.”
“Designing a house is fun, but the devil is in the details.”
“The devil is in the details when you try to bake a wedding cake.”
“We agreed on the main goals for the project, but we soon realized the devil is in the details when we started the actual work.”
“The new law sounds fair to everyone, but the devil is in the details regarding how much each person actually pays.”
“You might like the idea of moving abroad, but the devil is in the details of getting a visa and finding a job.”
“The software update promises many new features, but the devil is in the details of how it will actually affect your phone's battery life.”
“While the initial proposal appeared flawless to the investors, they remained cautious, knowing well that the devil is in the details of such a complex legal contract.”
disputed origin
A 20th-century variant of the older 'God is in the details', a saying associated with architect Mies van der Rohe and art historian Aby Warburg.
- 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 lies in the details
Synonym of devil is in the details.
- 06
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.
- 07
devil's luck
astounding good luck.
- 08
folk devil
A person or type of person blamed by the public for various ills, as during a moral panic.
Last updated August 10, 2026