the small print

the small print

The specific terms, conditions, restrictions, limitations, etc., of an agreement, contract, or other document, often printed in very small type and thus easy to go unnoticed. The terms of the loan look pretty good at face value, but be sure to read the small print or you could find yourself in a heap of trouble down the line. If I had my way, I would make small print illegal—it's so deceitful!
See also: print, small
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

small print

 and fine print
an important part of a document that is not easily noticed because of the smallness of the printing. You should have read the small print before signing the contract. You should always read the fine print of an insurance policy.
See also: print, small
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

small print

Also, fine print. The details in a contract or other document, often indicating restrictions or other disadvantages. For example, Be sure you read the small print before you sign your name to it, or They had the warranty terms in fine print, so you'd overlook the fact that it was only good for a month . This idiom alludes to the fact that such material is often printed in smaller type than the rest of the document. [Mid-1900s]
See also: print, small
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the small print

mainly BRITISH or

the fine print

mainly AMERICAN
COMMON The small print in a contract, agreement, or advertisement is the part which contains the legal details. Many patients are being hit by huge bills because they did not read the small print on their insurance forms. I'm looking at the small print. I don't want to sign anything that I shouldn't sign. The president said he'll wait to read the fine print of the trade agreement before he comments on it.
See also: print, small
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

small print

inconspicuous details or conditions printed in an agreement or contract, especially ones that may prove unfavourable.
Such details are typically printed in small type.
See also: print, small
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˈsmall print

(British English) (American English the ˈfine print) the parts of a written agreement or legal contract that are printed in very small letters, but which may contain important information: Make sure you read the small print before signing the contract.
See also: print, small
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • small print
  • read the fine print
  • read the small print
  • grandfather (someone or something)
  • grandfather in
  • grandfather clause
  • (Someone or something) called, they want their (something) back!
  • tomorrow
  • (one's) face fits
  • cut your cloth
References in periodicals archive
A study by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) showed that a majority of people find it difficult to read the small print in TV ads, which can contain important qualifying terms and conditions to an offer.
TV small print to become clearer
The banker is ever one up on the bureaucrat, since his shenanigans are always cushioned by the small print and he is not answerable to his clients.
Can one bank on banks?
| Askwhich@which.co.uk Read the small print when renting a car
Don't get taken for a ride by rental car costs abroad; IN ASSOCIATION WITH
Well, we're reading the small print now and will be for decades to come.
PFI blueprints must have had big windows. Because they saw us coming; Sunday Mail OPINION
There's always essential stuff in the small print. So surely any decent human being would just leave the very important stuff in big print, perhaps written in one of those cute glitter pens and with little hearts dotting the 'i's so we know we are to read it properly?
First things first..
People taking out payday loans tend to think they have suffered about double the average financial loss of the population generally by not getting to grips with the small print on products, according to the findings from the Money Advice Service.
ECONOMY TODAY
Weight-conscious shoppers are being urged to read the small print on foodstuffs (GDN, May 30).
Fat lot of good
'Be very careful with contracts from the 7th until July 1, check the small print'
Leo Jul 23> Aug 22
The research also looked at the length of the small print surrounding some bank accounts.
Insurance small print 'like reading Orwell book'
He said the guide, and similar publications, appeared to invite free representation but on close inspection of the small print revealed they are, in fact, a contract.
Derek Clark MEP says the The EU provides perfect cover for marketing scams
A LAWYER nicknamed Mr Loophole was yesterday pounds 5,000 out of pocket after failing to read the small print on a pet insurance policy.
Parasite costs loophole lawyer pounds 5k
Summary: The small print of the Pre-Budget Report is coming under scrutiny by economists.
Economists study Darling debt plan
Just look at the small print of Gordon Brown's official statistics, uncovered this week by the think tank, IPPR.
Is Brown any different? Read the small print... ANALYSIS Is Gordon Brown really delivering for the West Midlands? Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Chris Grayling argues that he isn't-and it's all in the fine print