read the fine print

read the fine print

To make oneself aware of the specific terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, etc., of an agreement, contract, or other document, which are often printed in very small type and thus easy to miss. The terms of the loan look pretty good at face value, but be sure to read the fine print or you could find yourself in a heap of trouble down the line. I know reading the fine print can be tedious, but it's always important to know what you're getting yourself into.
See also: fine, print, read
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • wash (one's) hands of (someone or something)
  • wash hands of
  • wash one's hands of
  • wash your hands of
  • wash your hands of somebody/something
  • wash your hands of something/someone
  • for (one's) (own) sake
  • for sake
  • keep in sight
  • keep sight of somebody/something
References in periodicals archive
"Do not put all your egg in one basket u read the fine print and get a fair banking adviser.
Many of them blame technology and failure of customers to read the fine print.
If you read the fine print on your filter instructions, you'll notice that it rec ommends changing the filter at least once every 90 days, not every 90 days.
If you decide to go ahead and obtain this insurance, make sure you read the fine print. Know what is--and isn't--included in your policy, make sure you're clear on the cancellation terms, and inquire about any restrictions.
Research the options thoroughly, read the fine print, and watch out for trade-offs.
Voters who read the fine print are equipped to make price comparisons.
The Decca engineers caught their relatively new chief conductor, Riccardo Chailly, and the group in a live performance, but you would never guess it unless you read the fine print on the last page of the disc booklet.
IF it sounds too good to be true, it usually is - so make sure you read the fine print and be wary of gimmicks before committing your cash.
* "You really have to read the fine print these days."
TWO-THIRDS of us don't read the fine print on our travel insurance policies so many may not be adequately covered, warns the Post Office.
Yet, when you read the fine print, it becomes apparent that UK plc's situation isn't quite as rosy as they want us to believe; Lord Leitch has spelled out in no uncertain terms that we are falling further and further behind our competitors in terms of skills and how fast we need to run just to keep standing still.
Another chart used recently by Post columnist Ruth Marcus shows the AMT affecting income as low as $30,000, but you have to read the fine print to see that it is not about the impact of the AMT this year, but its projected effect in 2012.
As with any insurance policy, it's important to read the fine print and learn what is and isn't covered (like acts or threats of terrorism at your destination.)
Keep in mind that since the market was trending steadily higher at the time, shockingly few investors read the fine print in company 10-Qs and other Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
But it soon turned sour when he read the fine print which revealed he would have to send up to pounds 1,000 to have his "winnings" sent to him.