dot the i's
Attend to details
To dot the i's is to attend to fine details, completing every small task required for thoroughness.
Almost always paired with "cross the t's" in the expression dot the i's and cross the t's, referring to the final strokes needed to distinguish these letters in handwriting.
The phrase suggests careful, methodical attention to finishing touches: Before we submit the contract, let's make sure we've dotted all the i's.
- thoroughnessAttention to every detail
- careAttentive regard for others
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- markVisible impression or sign
- meticulousnessExtreme carefulness in details
finishing · rigor · scrupulousness · closing · concluding · detail · fine print · executing · stroke · flick · refining · perfecting · curl · script · loop · finalizing · tie up loose ends · button up
- getting organizedget organized, in order, put in place, straighten up, tidy up
- finalizationfinalize, conclude, close, clinch, seal
- Book Idiomsclosed book, open book, same page, cover to cover, new chapter
dot the i'scut corners
Reduce effort or cost improperly
gloss over · wing it · phone it in · fudge it · paper over
dot the i'sslack off
Reduce one's effort
mail it in · coast · skimp · go through the motions · shirk
dot the i'sbend the rules
Interpret guidelines loosely
improvise · go through the motions · cut red tape · take liberties · throw together