split hairs

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split hairs

Fig. to quibble; to try to make petty distinctions. They don't have any serious differences. They are just splitting hairs. Don't waste time splitting hairs. Accept it the way it is.

See also: hair, split

split hairs

to argue about very small differences or unimportant details It's splitting hairs to tell people that they cannot lie but it is all right if they exaggerate.

See also: hair, split

split hairs

to argue about whether details that are not important are exactly correct 'She earns three time what I earn.' 'Actually, it's more like two and a half.' 'Oh stop splitting hairs!'

See also: hair, split

split hairs

Make trivial distinctions, quibble, as in Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; I'll close up today and you do it tomorrow. This metaphoric idiom transfers dividing so fine an object as a single hair to other petty divisions. [Second half of 1600s]

See also: hair, split

split hairs

To see or make trivial distinctions; quibble.

See also: hair, split

References in periodicals archive ?

So good that to differentiate their prospects for success is to split hairs.

TWO OF A KIND; MANNING, LEAF ARE 1-2, MAYBE NOT IN THAT ORDER

But let's not split hairs as Phil has few enough of them as it is.

Confession of a killer; As drunken dad Phil is reunited with Surly Shirley, Ben tells Ian he murdered Heather

Its proponents split hairs while Alison seeks only to ease her daughter's path in life.

Disabled charity is so wrong to fight palsy girl surgery

Admittedly Choi Kwang-Do is different from karate and Master Choi is only 62 but let's not split hairs.

Martial arts: the real life karate kid; STUART'S STAY IN U. S. WAS JUST LIKE IN MOVIE

We can equivocate, split hairs and rationalize as much as we want, but the simple fact is that the average American wants an independent counsel.

RENO WEATHERS STORM OF QUESTIONS OVER FUND RAISING

It isn't the first time the couple have split hairs over Princess.

It's enough to make your hair curl, Katie

But Macdonald isn't a law breaker unless you split hairs by taking into account some of his harem were under-age.

Our system encourages scroungers to lay about

The opposing sides in the Northern Ireland Assembly may split hairs over the wording of the Good Friday agreement and whether it justifies barring Sinn Fein's Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness from becoming Ministers in the new Northern Ireland Cabinet.

RECORD VIEW; Don't give up on peace

And when she asked about pay and holiday entitlement, she claimed she was told: "Don't split hairs.