Definition

1. Noun:
   • A comb with teeth set very close together: A physical tool used for grooming hair, especially to remove small particles like lice or dandruff, due to its narrowly spaced teeth.
   • A method of examining in minute detail: A metaphorical expression describing an extremely thorough and careful search or investigation, leaving no detail unchecked.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Physical Object):
  • She used a fine-toothed comb to remove the lice from her child's hair.
  • For fine, straight hair, a fine-toothed comb works better than a wide-toothed one.
• Noun (Metaphorical Method):
  • The auditor went through the accounts with a fine-toothed comb.
  • Before submitting the manuscript, she went over it with a fine-toothed comb for any errors.

Advanced Usage

• "to go over/through something with a fine-toothed comb": This is the standard idiomatic phrase. It means to examine something with extreme thoroughness.
  • The detectives went through the crime scene with a fine-toothed comb, collecting every possible piece of evidence.

Variants and Related Words

• Fine-tooth comb: An alternative, equally common spelling for the same term. The meaning is identical.
• Fine-tooth (adj): Sometimes used attributively, as in "a fine-tooth search" or "fine-tooth analysis," meaning a very detailed one.

Synonyms

• Scrutiny: Close and critical observation or examination.
• Meticulous examination: An examination performed with great attention to detail.
• Thorough search: A search conducted completely and carefully.

Related Idioms

• Leave no stone unturned: To try every possible course of action in order to find something or solve a problem. This idiom shares the connotation of exhaustive effort with "fine-toothed comb."
• Dot the i's and cross the t's: To be meticulous and precise, paying attention to every small detail.

Noun

1. a method of examining in minute detail
   • he went over the contract with a fine-tooth comb looking for loopholes
2. a comb with teeth set close together