fine-tooth comb
Meticulous inspection tool
A fine-tooth comb has teeth set close together, designed to catch small particles like lice or nits.
The phrase go over something with a fine-tooth comb means to examine it with extreme thoroughness, missing no detail: Investigators went through the financial records with a fine-tooth comb.
Often rendered as fine-toothed comb.
Showing extreme attention to detail
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- carefulExercising caution and attention
- rigorousExtremely thorough and careful
systematic · diligent · scrupulous · exhaustive · comprehensive · detailed · exacting · fastidious
Study with attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- analyzeStudy by breaking down
- investigateSeek facts systematically
- reviewCritical written assessment
audit · check · probe · search · study · survey · evaluation · assessment
Bristled cleaning tool
- detangleRemove knots from
- haircareMaintaining scalp and strands
- nitParasite egg or quibble
- liceBloodsucking scalp insects
scalp · part · strand · tresses · locks · styling · conditioner · barber
Level of detail
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- specificityExactness of detail
- particularsIndividual facts or details
- intricacyState of elaborate complexity
subtlety · minutiae · close reading · itemization · breakdown · dissection · microscopic
meticulous
Showing extreme attention to detail
- painstakingExtremely careful and thorough
- methodicalOrganized and deliberate
- carefulExercising caution and attention
rigorous · systematic · diligent · scrupulous · exhaustive · comprehensive · detailed · exacting · fastidious · nitpicking
examine
Study with attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- analyzeStudy by breaking down
- investigateSeek facts systematically
review · audit · check · probe · search · study · survey · evaluation · assessment · vetting
brush
Bristled cleaning tool
lice · scalp · part · strand · tresses · locks · styling · conditioner · barber · salon
granularity
Level of detail
- nuanceSlight shade of difference
- specificityExactness of detail
- particularsIndividual facts or details
intricacy · subtlety · minutiae · close reading · itemization · breakdown · dissection · microscopic
- Combs
- grooming toolshairbrush, razor, tweezers, nail clipper, nail clippers
- hair brushingbristles, brush, detangler, knots, strands
- searchessearch, seek, hunt, quest, find
- brushesbrush, paintbrushes, toothbrushes, bristle brush, hairbrush
- examinationsexam, examination, checkup, reexamination, recheck
fine-tooth combskim
Pass over lightly
broad strokes · quick once-over · quick scan · once-over · gloss over
fine, comb, tooth, combine, refined, refine, unrefined, finery, combed