Details I Give Small ˈdiːteɪl Points Leave Life

• an expedition planned down to the last detail
• he stood still, absorbing every detail of the street.
• tell me the main points now; leave the details till later.
• this issue will be discussed in more detail in the next chapter.

detail

1. a small individual fact or item; a less important fact or item
• an expedition planned down to the last detail
• He stood still, absorbing every detail of the street.
• Tell me the main points now; leave the details till later.
2. the small facts or features of something, when you consider them all together
• This issue will be discussed in more detail in the next chapter.
• The research has been carried out with scrupulous attention to detail.
• He had an eye for detail (= noticed and remembered small details).
• The fine detail of the plan has yet to be worked out.
3. information about something
• Please supply the following details: name, age and sex.
• Further details and booking forms are available on request.
• They didn't give any details about the game.
• ‘We had a terrible time—’ ‘Oh, spare me the details (= don't tell me any more).’
4. a small part of a picture or painting; the smaller or less important parts of a picture, pattern, etc. when you consider them all together
• This is a detail from the 1844 Turner painting.
• a huge picture with a lot of detail in it
5. a group of soldiers given special duties
6. to explain something fully
• I can't go into details now; it would take too long.

Extra Examples

• ‘We had a terrible time—’ ‘Oh, spare me the details= don’t tell me any more.’
• Briefly describe the product, but do not give any technical details at this stage.
• Can you give me some concrete details of how you’ve been saving money?
• Click here for more details posted by Ken.
• Details of the pension plan are set out below.
• Ensure that your diagrams contain the appropriate level of detail.
• Enter your details in the form below then click on ‘submit’.
• Every new animal or plant found was recorded in meticulous detail.
• Everyone must approve the basic plan before the final details are drawn up.
• For details contact Joanna Morland.
• For more detail on how to obtain a visa, see page 8.
• He described the event to his friends in excruciating detail.
• He had overlooked one crucial detail.
• He had shared intimate details of his life with a stranger.
• He has an excellent eye for detail.
• He leaves experts to sweat the details.
• He only managed to give the police a few sketchy details of the robbery.
• Her short stories are full of detail and humour.
• Historians claim to have uncovered details of the writer’s secret affair.
• I can still remember the accident in graphic detail.
• I don’t need to know the precise details of your quarrel.
• I don’t want to go into any more detail than absolutely necessary.
• I haven’t looked at the proposal in detail yet.
• I haven’t sorted out the practical details of getting there yet.
• I must correct some points of detail in your article on Barcelona.
• I only know the barest details of his plans.
• I won’t go into detail about the threats she made.
• I’ll give you a call later and fill you in on the details.
• It is important to get even the small details right.
• It was a small but telling detail.
• Make sure you check the details of the policy before you sign it.
• Natalie handled the details of her travel.
• New details are emerging on the alleged terror plot.
• Now let us examine this idea in greater detail.
• She had memorized every detail of his body.
• She remembered every last detail of what I’d told her the month before.
• She revealed the details of her plan.
• She was telling me all the juicy details of her love life.
• Spill the gory details about your worst relationship.
• The book covers the nitty-gritty details of starting a business.
• The book provides a wealth of detail on daily life in Ancient Rome.
• The city council refused to disclose details of the proposed traffic ban.
• The committee refused to disclose details of the proposals.
• The computer records the details of everyone entering the country.
• The details surrounding his death are not known.
• The diary contains intimate details of their life together.
• The receipt shows details of the item purchased.
• The report uncovers disturbing details of abuse.
• The report was criticized for its lack of detail.
• The rules are set out in detail in chapter seven.
• The secret of their success lies in their attention to detail.
• The secretary took my details and said they would get back to me.
• The speech was well delivered but lacking in detail.
• They wrote to confirm the details of the meeting.
• They’re still arguing over the details of the contract.
• This detail suggests that the killer knew his victim.
• Tomorrow’s papers will contain full details of the case.
• We haven’t yet worked out the travel details.
• We still need to negotiate the details of the contract.
• We’ll give you full details of how to enter our competition later.
• You can find out more details of the offer from your local travel agent.
• the mundane details of his daily life
• ‘We had a terrible time.’ ‘Oh, spare me the details!’
• Further details about the service are available on request.
• He stood still, absorbing every detail of his surroundings.
• Oh that’s just a detail —we can deal with it later.
• Our personnel officer will take your details.
• Please supply the following details: name, address and phone number.
• Sharon will fill you in on the details.
• Tell me everything—don’t leave out the smallest detail.
• Tell me the main points and leave the details till later.
• The didn’t give any details about the game.
• The police will not release the details of the case at this point.

Word Origin

• early 17th cent. (in the sense ‘minor items or events regarded collectively’): from French détail (noun), détailler (verb), from dé- (expressing separation) + tailler ‘to cut’ (based on Latin talea ‘twig, cutting’).