fine-tooth comb

[ fahyn-tooth ]
/ ˈfaɪnˌtuθ /

noun

a comb having narrow, closely set teeth.

Idioms for fine-tooth comb

    go over/through with a fine-tooth comb, to examine in close detail; search thoroughly; fine-comb: The police went over the apartment with a fine-tooth comb.
Also fine-toothed comb [fahyn-tootht, -tooth d] /ˈfaɪnˌtuθt, -ˌtuðd/.

Origin of fine-tooth comb

First recorded in 1830–40

Words nearby fine-tooth comb

Example sentences from the Web for fine-tooth comb

British Dictionary definitions for fine-tooth comb

fine-tooth comb

fine-toothed comb


noun

a comb with fine teeth set closely together
go over with a fine-tooth comb, go over with a fine-toothed comb, go through with a fine-tooth comb or go through with a fine-toothed comb to examine very thoroughly

Idioms and Phrases with fine-tooth comb

fine-tooth comb

A method of searching or investigating in minute detail, as in He examined the figures with a fine-tooth comb but found no errors. The practice of using a comb with close-set teeth to comb out head lice was transferred to various kinds of investigation in the late 1800s.