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Devil In The Details

Idiomatic Phrase
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A phrase implying that seemingly minor, overlooked components of a project or plan can harbor significant issues, leading to unexpected failures or complications.

Detailed Definition
The saying warns that an appealing plan may fail through overlooked particulars. In poetry, the details may be a misplaced name, a cracked cup, or a missing word that reveals betrayal beneath an elegant surface. It encourages close reading: the poem’s smallest object can carry its moral darkness, while polished appearances become a mask for trouble.
Example
Example in poetry:
A poet may write, “The letter looked simple, but the devil was in the details”; The phrase warns that small features can contain the real difficulty or danger; In a love poem, a missing comma might become the detail that changes the meaning of an apology; The idiom encourages poets to turn overlooked objects into sources of tension.
Additional Notes
“The devil is in the details” warns that small, easily overlooked points may cause major difficulties. A broad plan can seem sound until its wording, conditions, or practical steps are examined closely. The phrase encourages careful reading, checking, and attention to detail.
Also Known As
The Devil Is In The Details
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