fine-toothed comb

fine-tooth comb

 (fīn′to͞oth′) or fine-toothed comb (-to͞otht′, -to͞othd′)
n.
1. A comb with teeth set close together.
2. A method of searching or investigating in minute detail: examined the figures with a fine-tooth comb but found no errors.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.fine-toothed comb - a comb with teeth set close together
comb - a flat device with narrow pointed teeth on one edge; disentangles or arranges hair
2.fine-toothed comb - a method of examining in minute detail; "he went over the contract with a fine-tooth comb looking for loopholes"
examination, scrutiny - the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Mentioned in
References in classic literature
From the kinky locks of one of the naked young men he drew a hand-carved, fine-toothed comb, the lofty back of which was inlaid with mother-of-pearl, which he later sold in Sydney to a curio shop for eight shillings.
still is, actually) in the recording studio, going over every single syllable and inflection with a fine-toothed comb.
Army officials said they are going through the budget with a fine-toothed comb to cut programs that don't fall under the priorities.
Buy a big bottle of cheap hair conditioner and a head lice comb, which is a fine-toothed comb.
What's unhealthy is to go over and over your many shortcomings with a fine-toothed comb. It's sort of like doing a post-match analysis of your life in slow motion, where you incessantly assess and reassess the past.
THERE'S stress for the Carters after Fi went through their finances with a fine-toothed comb. She promised to return with suggestions, and we can't imagine her ideas will be welcomed.
EASTENDERS BBC1, 8pm THERE'S stress for the Carters after Fi went through their finances with a fine-toothed comb. She promised to return with suggestions, and we can't imagine her ideas will be welcomed.
A Part of the mouthpiece of a wind instrument B A guardsman's helmet plume C A fine-toothed comb D A facial wart QUESTION 13 - for 13 points: From which plant is the drug digitalis obtained?
Before and after a flight, maintenance teams go over each aircraft with a fine-toothed comb looking for discrepancies, which are noted in red ink on an aircraft inspection form.
Summary: For average Americans, it’s the time of year when the Internal Revenue Service pours over our finances with a fine-toothed comb. For the ultra rich, ...
Senate confirmation hearings put nominees on notice that, as a Michigan state legislator reportedly once said, ''I'm watching everything you do with a fine-toothed comb.'' Loretta Lynch, a talented lawyer and seasoned U.S.
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