chapter and verse

American  

noun

1. any specific chapter and verse of the Bible, as used when citing the text.

2. full, cited authority, as for any quotation, opinion, action, etc..

   Give me chapter and verse for the information you've provided so far.

3. Informal.

   1. detailed information.

   2. a set of regulations or rules.

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chapter and verse Cultural  

1. The means of locating passages in the Bible (see also Bible). Thus Matthew 19:18 means chapter 19, verse 18, of the Book of Matthew.

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chapter and verse Idioms  

1. The precise authority backing up a statement or view; established rules for or detailed information about something. For example, You can't withdraw a card after you've played it; I'll cite you the rules, chapter and verse. The term alludes to the chapter and verse of a quotation from the Bible, long regarded as an ultimate authority. [Early 1600s]

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Discover More

In general use, giving “chapter and verse” means giving precise evidence for a proposition.

Etymology

Origin of chapter and verse

First recorded in 1620–30

Example Sentences

Flashbacks provide chapter and verse.

From The Wall Street Journal

I responded with chapter and verse, pointing to the repeated use of the word “retirement” by Perkins and Witte.

From Los Angeles Times

The plaintiffs offer chapter and verse of episodes in which Live Nation allegedly secured contracts for Ticketmaster by hinting to venues, if not stating outright, that switching to a rival would mean the loss of Live Nation dates.

From Los Angeles Times

A gray-haired woman in a T-shirt stood stoically beside a large banner bearing a Bible quote with chapter and verse notation.

From Los Angeles Times

You'll have probably read chapter and verse about it and seen all the various angles.

From BBC