the ins and outs

the ins and outs

The particular details and nuances of a situation, task, etc. I'm not surprised he made such a stupid mistake—he doesn’t know the ins and outs of this business.
See also: and, INS, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ins and outs (of something)

the correct and successful way to do something; the special things that one needs to know to do something. I don't understand the ins and outs of politics. Jane knows the ins and outs of repairing computers.
See also: and, INS, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ins and outs

1. The intricate details of a situation or process. For example, It takes a newcomer some time to learn the ins and outs of the legislative process, or David really knows the ins and outs of how this engine works. This usage alludes to the tortuous windings and turnings of a road or path. [Second half of 1600s]
2. Those with position and influence and those without, especially those in office versus those who are not, as in "Juan stood well both with Ins and Outs" (Byron, Don Juan, 1823). [Mid-1700s]
See also: and, INS, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the ins and outs

COMMON The ins and outs of a situation or subject are all the complicated details or facts about it. Lawyers will no doubt debate the legal ins and outs of this case. There are many helpful books that can advise on the ins and outs of dieting in great detail.
See also: and, INS, out
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

the ins and outs

all the details of something.
See also: and, INS, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ˌins and ˈouts (of something)

all the details of something, which are often difficult to understand: It would take me too long to explain all the ins and outs of the problem. I don’t know all the ins and outs of the case.
See also: and, INS, out
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

the ins and outs

n. the fine points (of something); the details; the intricacies. I’m learning the ins and outs of this business.
See also: and, INS, out
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

ins and outs, the

All the intricacies or ramifications of a situation. Originally this term referred to those in favor and those out of it, and then to those in or out of political office. As Chaucer put it in Troilus and Criseyde, “Weep if thou wolt, for out of doute, this Diomede is inne, and thou art oute.” Years later Thomas Jefferson (Writings, ca. 1814) similarly referred to “two parties, the ins and the outs.” Only in the nineteenth century did the term come to mean intricacies, referring to the windings and turnings of a complicated path or passage. Thomas Hood so used it in a late poem (“Laying Down the Law,” 1845): “The celebrated judge, too prone to tarry, to hesitate on devious ins and outs.”
See also: and, INS
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • ins and outs
  • ins and outs, the
  • know the ins and outs (of something)
  • dumbski
  • stupehead
  • figure out the root of the problem
  • rocket scientist, you don't have to be a
  • find the root of the problem
  • determine
References in classic literature
"A fine calculation you are making!" said Don Quixote; "it is plain you don't know the ins and outs of the printers, and how they play into one another's hands.
Don Quixote
Caleb scattered his snuff carefully instead of taking it, and then added, "The ins and outs of things are curious.
Middlemarch
Also, within an hour or so, he was able to bring to us a Greek boy of seventeen or eighteen who knew thoroughly well the ins and outs of oyster piracy.
Tales of the Fish Patrol
I will squeeze it out of him, as one of the family: he must let me know the ins and outs of it all!
Crime And Punishment
Keeping up with the ins and outs of the state budgeting process can be tricky.
A Deeper Look Inside the State Budget
Realizing that this is a lot to ask of a single book, Foner wisely devotes most of his space to the ins and outs of the Reconstruction Era.
Foner, Eric. Forever free; the story of Emancipation & Reconstruction
Guest speaker Charles Brundage, Esq, from Judicial Title Insurance Agency, will explain the ins and outs of title insurance.
Around town: events seminars meetings talks
He currently hosts a monthly seminar at the Learning Annex and teaches the ins and outs of rejuvenating a pro career after extended underground status.
Eager ex-pros learn from Shiloh Greathouse the do's and don'ts of staging a career comeback
12 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 with $321 million in sales) will discuss the ins and outs of landing a multimilliondollar government contract.
Brand new sessions
As an analysis of modern and contemporary writing styles, About Writing informs the aspiring author of the ins and outs of technique, ideals, and styles for the most effective writing.
About Writing
"A new generation of judges is coming up, familiar with electronic records, electronic discovery, and the ins and outs of data recovery," writes Montana.
Perspectives on managing electronic records
Speakers from Automated Assemblies, Battenfeld, Build-A-Mold, Fanuc Robotics, Hekuma, Netstal, and Wittmann will discuss the ins and outs of injection molding machines, tooling, and robotics for IMD.
Why don't we do it in the mold?
Debra Perez and Dennis Stanfill explain the ins and outs of MIDI, computers and software to attendees of a technology session.
2004 MTNA National Conference highlights
CPAs who want to know the ins and outs of tax rules and regulations can register for free at CPA Diane Kennedy's Web site to find tax strategies to benefit their clients.
Know the "hole" story: www.taxloopholes.com
"I was very aware given the pattern and nature of economic change," Morris tells me, "that in many cases the drawings would outlive the company." Though self-taught in the subject, Morris knows the ins and outs of Austrian economic scholarship and debates.
When Ludwig met Chelsea: Austrian economics hits Manhattan's art scene. (Culture and Reviews)