chapter and verse
noun
1
: the exact reference or source of information or justification for an assertion
… clinched their arguments by citing chapter and verse.—
James MacGregor Burns
James MacGregor Burns2
: full precise information or detail
… can give chapter and verse on the effects of diverting defense spending …—Horace Sutton
Horace Sutton
chapter and verse
adverb
Examples of chapter and verse in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The first book from the Black List’s 2024 foray into chapter and verse to score a deal, the debut novel from the author will hit shelves and sites on February 24, 2026.
—Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Many New Yorkers can cite chapter and verse about the African Burial Ground National Monument in downtown Manhattan near City Hall, but only a few know about the burial grounds and segregated Black cemeteries scattered throughout New York City’s boroughs.
—Herb Boyd, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
Anyway, by late 1974, when the Woodward–Bernstein book was published, everyone knew the Watergate story chapter and verse, and Nixon had been safely packed away down the memory hole.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
That’s chapter and verse in many, many, of his films, most recently in Pain and Glory.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024
The chapter and verse of his record is not sympathetic reading, though his mother, 67, tries to understand.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024
To get chapter and verse, go here, for example.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 3 Mar. 2023
All Italians know the scene chapter and verse.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2022
Or chapter and verse in a holy book.
—Steve Hochman, SPIN, 22 Sep. 2022
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
Many New Yorkers can cite chapter and verse about the African Burial Ground National Monument in downtown Manhattan near City Hall, but only a few know about the burial grounds and segregated Black cemeteries scattered throughout New York City’s boroughs.
—Herb Boyd, New York Daily News, 1 Feb. 2025
Anyway, by late 1974, when the Woodward–Bernstein book was published, everyone knew the Watergate story chapter and verse, and Nixon had been safely packed away down the memory hole.
—Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024
That’s chapter and verse in many, many, of his films, most recently in Pain and Glory.
—Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Sep. 2024
The chapter and verse of his record is not sympathetic reading, though his mother, 67, tries to understand.
—Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 3 Mar. 2024
To get chapter and verse, go here, for example.
—Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 3 Mar. 2023
All Italians know the scene chapter and verse.
—Sam Sacks, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2022
Or chapter and verse in a holy book.
—Steve Hochman, SPIN, 22 Sep. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Chapter and verse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chapter%20and%20verse. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share