dotting the i's and crossing the t's
Completing every detail
Dotting the i's and crossing the t's means attending to every small detail, especially the final steps that ensure something is complete and correct.
The phrase invokes the finishing touches of careful handwriting—letters left undotted or uncrossed look sloppy or ambiguous.
Usually appears when wrapping up agreements, contracts, or projects: We've reached a deal; now we're just dotting the i's and crossing the t's.
- finalizationAct of completing something
- thoroughnessAttention to every detail
- attention to detailFocus on specifics
- accuracyDegree of correctness
- meticulousnessExtreme carefulness in details
tying up loose ends · exactitude · proofreading · double checking · fastidiousness · verification · perfectionism · quality control · polishing · rigor · scrupulousness · nitpicking · review · leaving no stone unturned · going the extra mile · care · refinement · diligence
dotting the i's and crossing the t'scutting corners
Reducing effort improperly
glossing over · phoning it in · sloppiness · carelessness · skimping
dotting the i's and crossing the t'splaying fast and loose