fine-tooth comb

noun

ˈfīn-ˌtüth- 

1

: a comb with close-set teeth used especially for clearing parasites or foreign matter from the hair

2

: an attitude or system of thorough searching or scrutinizing

went over the report with a fine-tooth comb

Examples of fine-tooth comb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All of us — probably the Newsoms included — will just have to wait to see if the fine-tooth combs of the feds pick up any dirt. — Anita Chabria, Mercury News, 25 June 2026

All of us — probably the Newsoms included — will just have to wait to see if the fine-tooth combs of the feds pick up any dirt. — Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026

Tame flyaways with an edge-control brush or a fine-tooth comb and some styling pomade. — Ranyechi Udemezue, Vogue, 12 June 2026

However, under a fine-tooth comb, the usefulness of the tools was stuck at 50% to 60%. — Praful Saklani, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 1