fine-tooth comb: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1neutral
Quick answer
What does “fine-tooth comb” mean?
A comb with teeth set very close together, used for removing lice, nits, or other small particles from hair.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A comb with teeth set very close together, used for removing lice, nits, or other small particles from hair.
An idiom ("go over/through something with a fine-tooth comb") meaning to examine something very carefully and thoroughly, leaving no detail unchecked.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both variants use the idiom identically.
Connotations
Implies meticulous, painstaking attention to detail, often in search of errors, clues, or specific items.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English, but well-established in both.
Grammar
How to Use “fine-tooth comb” in a Sentence
[Subject] + go over/through + [Object] + with a fine-tooth combVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “fine-tooth comb” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We must fine-tooth-comb this proposal before the meeting.
- She fine-tooth-combed the legal document.
American English
- He fine-tooth-combed the contract for loopholes.
- Let's fine-tooth-comb the data set.
adverb
British English
- She read the report fine-tooth-comb.
- They searched fine-tooth-comb for the error.
American English
- He went over it fine-tooth-comb.
- Inspect the area fine-tooth-comb.
adjective
British English
- They conducted a fine-tooth-comb analysis of the evidence.
- It requires a fine-tooth-comb approach.
American English
- The report was a fine-tooth-comb examination of the process.
- We need a fine-tooth-comb review.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The auditors went through the accounts with a fine-tooth comb."
Academic
"The researcher examined the archival documents with a fine-tooth comb."
Everyday
"I went through my son's hair with a fine-tooth comb after the school reported nits."
Technical
"The technician went over the circuit board with a fine-tooth comb to find the fault."
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “fine-tooth comb”
- Using 'fine-toothed comb' (common variant but less standard), confusing it with 'fine comb' (less idiomatic), using it without the prepositional phrase ('with a...').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'fine-toothed comb' is a common and acceptable variant, though 'fine-tooth comb' is the more traditional and standard form found in dictionaries.
Yes, it is suitable for formal contexts, including business, academic, and technical writing, to convey meticulous examination.
Yes, literal fine-tooth combs are still used for removing lice and nits from hair, and for detailed grooming of pets with fine fur.
The idiom derives from the literal use of a comb with teeth set closely together, designed to remove very small parasites or particles, thus metaphorically extending to any very detailed search.
A comb with teeth set very close together, used for removing lice, nits, or other small particles from hair.
Fine-tooth comb: in British English it is pronounced /ˌfaɪn.tuːθ ˈkəʊm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌfaɪn.tuːθ ˈkoʊm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go over/through something with a fine-tooth comb”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a detective using an actual fine-tooth comb on a carpet, picking up every single tiny hair as evidence. The comb catches everything, just like a thorough search.
Conceptual Metaphor
CAREFUL EXAMINATION IS COMBING (using a tool designed to catch and remove the smallest particles).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of the idiom 'to go over with a fine-tooth comb'?