Sekirov Dictionary

fine-tooth comb

UK /ˌfaɪntuːθ ˈkəʊm/US /ˌfaɪnˌtuθ ˈkoʊm/

noun 2
verb 2
forms 3

noun2

•
A comb with fine, closely spaced teeth, especially one used for removing head lice and their nits (eggs) from the hair; a nit comb.
- 'Member dat rainy eve dat I drove you out, Wid nothing but a fine tooth comb? — 1902
•
(figurative) A means of making a thorough search.
- The police went through his possessions with a fine-tooth comb.

verb2

•
(figurative) To search (something or somewhere) meticulously.
- "There's one other way of discovering the writer,—find a Rem-Smith typewriter with an alignment imperfect in just this way." "Yes," said Astro. "We might begin and fine-tooth-comb the city for it.[…]" — 1912
(old-fashioned) To comb or go through (hair, an animal's fur, etc.) with a comb having fine, closely spaced teeth.

forms

fine-tooth combed · fine-tooth combing · fine-tooth combs

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