fine-tooth comb

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-toothed comb
• Hypernyms: ↑examination, ↑scrutiny

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noun
1. : a comb with teeth set close together used especially for cleaning lice, nits, and other matter from the hair
2. : an attitude or system of thoroughly searching or scrutinizing

went through that house with a fine-tooth comb — Merle Miller

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/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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fine-tooth comb , fine-toothed comb or fine comb noun
A comb with slender teeth set close together
• • •
Main Entry: ↑fine

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fine-tooth comb UK US noun [countable] [singular fine-tooth comb plural fine-tooth combs]
a comb with very thin parts and very narrow spaces between them
Thesaurus: hair care substances and equipmenthyponym

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fine-tooth comb, «FYN TOOTH»,
= fine-toothed comb. (Cf. ↑fine-toothed comb)
fine-tooth-comb «FYN TOOTH KOHM», transitive verb.
to go over with a fine-toothed comb; fine-comb: »

It would be squalid to fine-tooth-comb the volume for contradictions (New York Times).

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(also fine-toothed comb) n. a comb with narrow teeth that are close together
■ [in sing.] used with reference to a very thorough search or analysis of something

you should check the small print with a fine-tooth comb

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/ˈfaınˌtuːθ-/ noun, pl ⋯ combs [count]
: a comb with many small teeth
go over/through (something) with a fine-tooth comb
: to examine something very closely

The police are going over the evidence with a fine-tooth comb.

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ˌfine-tooth ˈcomb [fine-tooth comb fine-tooth combs] (also ˌfine-toothed ˈcomb) noun
a ↑comb in which the pointed parts are thin and very close together

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 — | ̷ ̷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

  • 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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