fine-tooth comb

American  

[fahyn-tooth] / ˈfaɪnˌtuθ /

Also fine-toothed comb

noun

1. a comb having narrow, closely set teeth.

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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.

fine-tooth comb British  

noun

1. a comb with fine teeth set closely together

2. to examine very thoroughly

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fine-tooth comb More Idioms  

1. 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.

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Etymology

Origin of fine-tooth comb

First recorded in 1830–40

Example Sentences

“We need to go back through that bill with a fine tooth comb and make it better,” Marshall said in an interview with Newsmax.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2025

After asking her colleague Sarah if she could post an appeal on the shop's Facebook page, Morganne "went through the shop with a fine tooth comb".

From BBC • Aug. 22, 2024

“You can look and go through with a fine tooth comb of the unit itself,” Carberry said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 6, 2022

"It's truly going back to the drawing board," Smith says, "taking a fine tooth comb to their budget and their investments."

From US News • Sep. 9, 2016

He's been brought up here, and scoured the country as if he had a fine tooth comb, many a time.

From The Airplane Boys among the Clouds or, Young Aviators in a Wreck by Langworthy, John Luther

Related Words

• comb
• rummage
• scour
• scrounge