The phrase “the devil is in the details” is an idiom that means that something may seem simple or easy at first glance, but it actually has hidden complications or problems that can only be discovered by paying attention to the details. It is often used as a warning to be careful and thorough when dealing with a plan, a project, a contract, or anything else that involves many details.
The origin of this phrase is not very clear, but it is believed to be a variation of an earlier proverb that said “God is in the detail”, which expressed the idea that whatever one does, one should do it with care and precision, because details are important. Some sources attribute this proverb to the German-born architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, who was known for his minimalist and elegant designs, but it is more likely that he popularized it rather than invented it. A similar proverb in German, “Der liebe Gott steckt im Detail”, which translates as “The good God is in the detail”, is often attributed to the German art historian Aby Warburg, who used it as a subtitle for a seminar he taught in 1925-26.
The phrase “the devil is in the details” became more common in the 20th century, especially in the 1990s, and it was often used in the context of political, legal, or business negotiations, where small details could make a big difference in the outcome or the interpretation of an agreement. The phrase implies that the devil, as a symbol of evil or mischief, hides in the details and tries to sabotage or complicate things. The phrase also suggests that one should be wary of the details, because they may contain traps or pitfalls that are not obvious at first sight.
Some examples of how the phrase can be used in sentences are:
- The proposal sounds good, but the devil is in the details. We need to read the fine print before we sign anything.
- She thought she had finished her essay, but her teacher pointed out that the devil is in the details. She had made several spelling and grammar mistakes that lowered her grade.
- He was confident that he could fix the car, but he soon realized that the devil is in the details. There were many wires and parts that he did not know how to connect or replace.
The phrase “the devil is in the details” can also have some variations, such as:
- The devil is in the detail (singular)
- The devil and the angels are in the details (a phrase used by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to refer to the finer points of legislation)
- Governing is in the details (a phrase that emphasizes the importance of details in public administration)
- The truth, if it exists, is in the details (a phrase that expresses skepticism or uncertainty about the truth of something)
In conclusion, the phrase “the devil is in the details” is an idiom that warns people to be careful and thorough when dealing with something that involves many details, because they may contain hidden problems or complications that are not apparent at first sight. The phrase is derived from an earlier proverb that said “God is in the detail”, which expressed the opposite idea that details are important and should be done with care and precision. The phrase is often used in the context of political, legal, or business negotiations, where small details can make a big difference in the outcome or the interpretation of an agreement. The phrase also implies that the devil, as a symbol of evil or mischief, hides in the details and tries to sabotage or complicate things. The phrase can have some variations that convey different meanings or nuances.
