# the devil is in the details

idiom · CEFR B1

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/the-devil-is-in-the-details
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The specific provisions of, or particular steps for implementing, a general plan, policy, or contract may be complicated, controversial, or unworkable.

## Examples

- 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.

## 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. (disputed)

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.