fine-tooth comb

English

Alternative forms

• fine-toothed comb

Noun

fine-tooth comb (plural fine-tooth combs)

1. A comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth.
2. (figuratively) A means of making a thorough search.

   The police went through his possessions with a fine-tooth comb.

Usage notes

Sometimes misunderstood as fine toothcomb, especially in the figurative sense. This form of the expression, and the associated concept of a toothcomb, is often considered erroneous, but fine toothcomb is said to be now 'accepted in standard English' by at least one major dictionary [1].

Translations

comb with fine, closely-spaced teeth

• Irish: cíor mhín f
• Korean: 참빗 (chambis, -bit)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Swedish: finkam (sv) c

See also

• fingertip search

Verb

fine-tooth comb

1. To go over or through with a fine-tooth comb
2. (figuratively) To search meticulously.

   Synonyms: comb over, comb through, pore over

Translations

comb or search

• Finnish: käydä läpi tiheällä kammalla
• French: passer au peigne fin (fr)
• (deprecated template usage) {{trans-mid}}
• Greek: χτενίζω (el) (chtenízo)
• Swedish: finkamma (sv)