fine-tooth comb

Also fine-toothed comb

[fahyn-tooth]

noun

1. a comb having narrow, closely set teeth.

fine-tooth comb

noun

1. a comb with fine teeth set closely together

2. to examine very thoroughly

Word History and Origins

Origin of fine-tooth comb¹

First recorded in 1830–40

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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.

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.

Example Sentences

“We suspect they were going through everything with a fine-tooth comb looking for anything to peg her with after the fact,” Gauthier said, adding that his client was cleared of wrongdoing.

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Marling, who calls Owen’s preparation “ferocious,” recalls going over every scene “with a fine-tooth comb.”

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Any such deal would normally have to be accepted by all countries in a plenary session, where negotiators can go through the text with a fine-tooth comb, often leading to major arguments.

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“My father’s lawyers went through those rules with a fine-tooth comb.”

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“This is something we went through with a fine-tooth comb.”

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Related Words

• comb 
• rummage 
• scour 
• scrounge