to drill into the detail
- phrasal verb
:
analizar en detalle
- It's important to drill into the detail when analyzing survey results to understand the underlying trends.
Examples
-
If you get a positive indication of where to look for the problem, you can then drill into the detail.
Blog text (29) -
To make a better decision, we need to drill into the detail of each proposal.
-
The manager asked us to drill into the detail of the report before presenting it to the board.
Synonyms
675
3.2
To study something carefully to understand it better
70
3.7
To look at something carefully, often by searching under the surface
43
4.4
Search carefully to find hidden facts or details
35
5.1
To ask careful questions to find hidden information
11
4.8
To look closely at information by breaking it into smaller parts
7
7.4
To examine something deeply to learn more about it
1
4.4
To look into something more carefully to find hidden facts
1
6.5
To talk about the exact parts of a plan to reach an agreement
1
8.8
To examine something carefully by looking at its parts
To examine something carefully to find hidden details
How Thorough
- US
70
6.2
43
5.5
868
2.5
∞
1.0
299
1.5
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase extends the literal sense of 'drill' (pierce or work repeatedly) plus 'into' (movement inside) applied to 'detail' (specific parts), so the components point toward a meaning of probing or examining closely. However this is a metaphorical usage (and the singular 'detail' is slightly odd) so the exact sense 'examine thoroughly' is not fully predictable for a B1 learner without some exposure.
Etymology
Drill into the detail gives a picture of using a drill to go deep into a small part of something. That image of the drill reaching the tiny detail explains why the phrase means 'to examine something carefully'.