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
fine-cut,
fine-draw,
fine-drawn,
fine-grain,
fine-grained,
fine-tooth comb,
fine-tune,
fineable,
finely,
fineness,
fineness ratio
Example sentences from the Web for fine-tooth comb
There are two sides to this question of fine-tooth-comb education.
Germany and the Germans |Price Collier
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.