Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
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 — /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… … Universalium
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
