fine-tooth comb, to go over with a
go over (something) with a fine-tooth comb
To scrutinize something; to look at something very carefully. We need to go over these files with a fine-tooth comb to find that missing paperwork. Make sure to go over your thesis with a fine-tooth comb before you hand it in—you don't want your advisors wading through proofreading errors, do you?
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
go over something with a fine-tooth comb
and search something with a fine-tooth comb; go through something with a fine-tooth combFig. to search through something very carefully. I can't find my calculus book. I went over the whole place with a fine-tooth comb. I searched this place with a fine-tooth comb and didn't find my ring.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
fine-tooth comb, to go over with a
To search for or investigate with scrupulous care. Although combs have been known since the time of ancient Egypt, and presumably some had finer teeth than others, the term “fine-tooth comb” dates only from the first half of the nineteenth century. The transfer of combing out nits to other kinds of search or investigation took place only in the late nineteenth century.
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer