fill in the details

Meaning

This expression means to provide more information, complete missing parts of a plan, or elaborate on a general outline. It is used when a basic structure is already established, but specific details are still needed to finalize it.

Examples

• I have given you the general overview, and now Sarah will fill in the details.

  I have given you the general overview, and now Sarah will fill in the details.

• We have the main concept ready; we just need to fill in the details of the timeline.

  We have the main concept ready; we just need to fill in the details of the timeline.

• Please review this draft and fill in the details where the information is missing.

  Please review this draft and fill in the details where the information is missing.

• During the meeting, the project manager helped us fill in the details of the launch plan.

  During the meeting, the project manager helped us fill in the details of the launch plan.

• The client liked the big picture but asked us to fill in the details regarding pricing.

  The client liked the big picture but asked us to fill in the details regarding pricing.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Please fill out the details in this report.

  ✓ Please fill in the details in this report.

  You 'fill out' a form or questionnaire (completing the entire document), but you 'fill in' specific details or missing pieces of information.

• ✗ He filled up the details during his presentation.

  ✓ He filled in the details during his presentation.

  'Fill up' means to make something completely full (like a gas tank or a glass of water), not to provide information.

Related Expressions

Practice

• You've got a great outline here, but you need to ___ before submitting it.

  💡 Provide the missing specific information.

  Show answer

  fill in the details

• Could you ___ about the venue and catering for the next meeting?

  💡 Elaborate or complete the missing specifics.

  Show answer

  fill in the details