split hairs

Cultural  

1. To argue about an inconsequential and trivial aspect of an issue: “When you are accused of being forty-five minutes late for an appointment, you are splitting hairs to say that you were really only forty minutes late.”

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split hairs Idioms  

1. Make trivial distinctions, quibble, as in Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; I'll close up today and you do it tomorrow. This metaphoric idiom transfers dividing so fine an object as a single hair to other petty divisions. [Second half of 1600s]

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Example Sentences

To proponents of convalescent plasma therapy, this might seem like an inconsequential flub: Why split hairs if lives were saved?

From Washington Times

On this night, though, it was not a time to split hairs.

From New York Times

“The Confederate flag should never be worn, especially by an elected official. Don't split hairs on this w/ excuses about flags vs. bandanas,” state Sen. Jeff Irwin, a Democrat representing Washtenaw County also tweeted Friday.

From Fox News

“Unfortunately, in this toxic political environment, some of our colleagues have rushed to blame our own government before even knowing the facts; rushed to split hairs about intelligence before being briefed on it; and rushed to downplay Soleimani’s evil while presenting our own president as the villain,” Mr. McConnell said in a floor speech.

From Washington Times

Yet we continue to argue, split hairs and divide ourselves over how we pay for that care.

From Seattle Times