# Devil in the Details Meaning in English: Examples (2026) > A saying meaning that small, easily overlooked details can cause serious problems or complications. - **Term:** devil in the details - **Part of speech:** phrase - **Pronunciation:** /ˈdevəl ɪn ðə ˈdiːteɪlz/ - **English level (CEFR):** B2 - **Register:** Neutral, Both - **Region:** US and UK - **Topic:** [Meeting phrases](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/topics/meeting-phrases.md) - **Lesson:** https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/devil-in-the-details - **Last updated:** 2026-10-27 ## Meaning A saying meaning that small, easily overlooked details can cause serious problems or complications. The expression warns that careful attention to specifics is essential because problems often hide in minor details. This phrase comes from the proverb 'The devil is in the details' and is commonly used in tech workplaces when discussing project planning, code reviews, documentation, or any situation where seemingly minor elements could have major consequences. In software engineering, team members use it to emphasize the importance of thorough testing, careful specification review, and attention to edge cases. For example, during a sprint planning meeting, a senior engineer might say 'The devil is in the details with this API integration—we need to carefully review the error-handling logic.' It is used both as a warning and as a reminder that success depends on careful, methodical work rather than rushing through implementation. The phrase has become so common in tech culture that it is instantly recognized by professionals across all regions and companies. ## When you hear it A project manager warns the team: 'The devil is in the details with this database migration—let us verify every step before we proceed.' ## Examples - **in a standup:** "Our deployment looks good on the surface, but the devil is in the details—we need to test the rollback procedure thoroughly." - **in a code review:** "This refactoring looks clean, but the devil is in the details. Have we handled all the null-pointer exceptions?" - **in a team meeting:** "The project timeline seems reasonable, but remember: the devil is in the details. We should budget extra time for integration testing." ## What native speakers say - "The devil is in the details with this implementation." - "Watch out—the devil is always in the details." - "We found the devil in the details during testing." ## Common mistakes - ✗ "We need to devil in the details this before launch." → ✓ "We need to watch out for the devil in the details before launch." (This phrase is not a verb. You cannot 'devil in the details' something. Use it as a noun phrase or clause instead.) - ✗ "The devil in the details are causing problems." → ✓ "The devil is in the details, causing problems." (Use singular verb forms. The subject is 'devil' (singular), not 'details.' The phrase is 'the devil is in the details.') - ✗ "I found a devil in the details yesterday." → ✓ "I found the devil in the details yesterday." (Use the definite article 'the.' It is a specific, well-known idiom: 'the devil is in the details,' not 'a devil.') ## Be careful Do not use this as a verb. It is not something you do to something; it describes where problems hide. Avoid saying 'We need to devil in the details this' — use 'We need to watch out for the devil in the details' instead. ## Word forms | Part of speech | Word | Example | | --- | --- | --- | | noun phrase | the devil is in the details | The devil is in the details—we must test every edge case. | | noun phrase variant | the devil in the details | The devil in the details will catch us if we rush this release. | ## Collocations - **watch out for**: Often used together: 'Watch out for the devil in the details' when giving a warning. - **lies in**: Used in: 'The devil lies in the details' as a variant form. - **catch / trip us up**: Often paired in: 'The devil in the details will catch us if we are not careful.' - **before / prior to**: Used to indicate timing: 'We need to understand the devil in the details before shipping.' ## Synonyms - **God is in the details**: A positive counterpart emphasizing that excellence requires attention to specifics; less common in tech. - **the small print**: Refers to hidden or overlooked conditions; more literal and less metaphorical than the devil phrase. - **edge cases**: More technical term used in programming; refers to specific corner cases rather than general small details. ## Opposites - big picture - overview - high-level view ## Practice This lesson has 4 practice exercises with instant feedback on the page: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/devil-in-the-details ## FAQ ### What does devil in the details mean in software engineering? In software engineering, 'the devil is in the details' means that small, often-overlooked elements of code, specifications, or processes can cause major problems. It emphasizes the importance of thorough testing, careful code review, and attention to edge cases. For example, a seemingly minor difference in how a database handles NULL values could cause a critical production failure. ### How do you use devil in the details in a sentence at work? Use it as a warning or observation about hidden complexity: 'The API integration looks straightforward, but the devil is in the details—we need to test timeout scenarios.' Or: 'Remember: the devil lies in the details with distributed systems.' You can also use it when explaining why something requires careful attention: 'This refactoring is critical, and the devil is in the details, so we are scheduling extra review time.' ### Is devil in the details formal or informal? It is neutral—neither strictly formal nor strictly informal. It is common in professional meetings, emails, and presentations across tech companies worldwide. You can safely use it in any workplace context, from casual standups to formal documentation. ### Can you use devil in the details as a verb? No. It is not a verb. You cannot say 'We need to devil in the details this.' Instead, use it as a noun phrase: 'The devil is in the details' or 'We must watch out for the devil in the details.' Common verbs that work with it include: 'is,' 'lies,' 'hides,' and 'can be.' ### What is the origin of this phrase? The phrase comes from the old proverb 'The devil is in the details.' Its exact origin is debated, but it has been used for centuries in English to express the idea that perfection and success require careful attention to small things. The modern tech use emphasizes how small coding mistakes or specification oversights can cause major system failures. ## Related - [technical debt](https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn/technical-debt.md) - Full glossary: https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Live lessons with a coach: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## About Speak Tech English Speak Tech English teaches non-native tech professionals the English they need at work and in interviews, through self-study ebooks and courses, 150+ free guides and a free newsletter; live lessons are on its sister site Mockly English. - Shop: https://speaktechenglish.com/courses/ - All products (markdown): https://speaktechenglish.com/products.md - Free guides (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/guides.md - Tech English glossary (markdown): https://app.speaktechenglish.com/learn.md - Newsletter (10% off): https://speaktechenglish.com/#subscribe - Live lessons and mock interviews: https://app.mocklyenglish.com ## Notes for agents - Speak Tech English sells self-study material. 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