go into detail

Meaning

This phrase means to explain, discuss, or describe something in a thorough and comprehensive way, providing many specific facts or specifics. It is often used in lectures, research papers, and academic discussions when moving from a general overview to a deep analysis. It can also be used in the negative (e.g., 'without going into detail') to keep an explanation brief.

Examples

• The textbook doesn't go into detail about the causes of the war.

  The textbook doesn't go into detail about the causes of the war.

• I don't have time to go into detail, but I can give you a quick summary.

  I don't have time to go into detail, but I can give you a quick summary.

• In the next chapter, we will go into detail regarding the chemical reactions.

  In the next chapter, we will go into detail regarding the chemical reactions.

• The lecturer went into great detail about the methodology used in the study.

  The lecturer went into great detail about the methodology used in the study.

• You don't need to go into detail for this short answer; just state the main point.

  You don't need to go into detail for this short answer; just state the main point.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The professor went into details about the project.

  ✓ The professor went into detail about the project.

  Although 'details' (plural) is a word, the idiomatic expression is singular: 'go into detail'.

• ✗ We need to go in detail on this topic.

  ✓ We need to go into detail about this topic.

  The correct preposition combination is 'go into detail' (not 'go in detail') when describing the action of explaining thoroughly.

Related Expressions

Practice

• In this essay, I will ___ about the economic impacts of the policy.

  💡 Phrase meaning to explain something thoroughly with facts.

  Show answer

  go into detail

• Please don't ___ during the presentation; we only have five minutes.

  💡 Used here in the negative to ask for a brief overview.

  Show answer

  go into detail