fine-tooth comb

fine-tooth comb
/fuyn"toohth'/
1. a comb having narrow, closely set teeth.
2. go over or 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 /fuyn"toohtht', -toohdhd'/.
[1830-40]

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • fine-tooth comb — UK / US or fine toothed comb UK / US noun [countable] Word forms fine tooth comb : singular fine tooth comb plural fine tooth combs a comb with very thin parts and very narrow spaces between them • with a fine tooth comb …   English dictionary

  • fine-tooth comb — n go through/over sth with a fine tooth comb to examine something very carefully and thoroughly ▪ The police went over the scene of the crime with a fine tooth comb …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • fine-tooth comb — or ,fine toothed comb noun count a COMB with very thin parts and very narrow spaces between them with a fine tooth comb very carefully, so that you notice or find everything …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • fine-tooth comb — fine′ tooth (or fine′ toothed ) comb′ n. clo a comb having narrow, closely set teeth • go over or through with a fine tooth comb Etymology: 1830–40 …   From formal English to slang

  • fine-tooth comb — (also fine toothed comb) ► NOUN (in phrase with a fine tooth comb) ▪ with a very thorough search or analysis …   English terms dictionary

  • fine-tooth comb — noun 1. a comb with teeth set close together • Syn: ↑fine toothed comb • Hypernyms: ↑comb 2. a method of examining in minute detail he went over the contract with a fine tooth comb looking for loopholes • Syn: ↑fine …   Useful english dictionary

  • fine-tooth-comb — | ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ transitive verb Etymology: fine tooth comb : to search or scrutinize intensively or minutely I fine tooth combed that patch of roadside, inch by inch True Crime Cases scientists have gone to fine tooth comb the Urals and mid Asia… …   Useful english dictionary

  • fine-tooth comb — also fine tooth comb PHRASE: V inflects (emphasis) If you say that you will go over something with a fine tooth comb or go through something with a fine tooth comb, you are emphasizing that you will search it thoroughly or examine it very… …   English dictionary

  • fine-tooth comb — {n. phr.} Great care; careful attention so as not to miss anything. * /The police searched the scene of the crime with a fine tooth comb for clues./ * /My room is so clean you couldn t find dirt if you went over it with a fine tooth comb./… …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • fine-tooth comb — {n. phr.} Great care; careful attention so as not to miss anything. * /The police searched the scene of the crime with a fine tooth comb for clues./ * /My room is so clean you couldn t find dirt if you went over it with a fine tooth comb./… …   Dictionary of American idioms

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