What does the saying fine tooth comb mean?
What does the saying fine tooth comb mean?
Definition of fine-tooth comb 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.
What’s another word for fine tooth comb?
What is another word for fine-tooth-comb?
| look | search |
|---|---|
| beat the bushes | rummage through |
| rummage around in | grub about in |
| poke about in | search high heaven |
| go over with a fine-tooth comb | roust around in |
Is fine toothed comb?
The correct form is “fine-toothed comb,” but Garner’s Modern American Usage says the spelling “fine-tooth comb” is far more common. ” ‘Fine-toothed comb’ better reflects the literal meaning – a comb with teeth set close together, rather than a comb with fine (very thin) teeth,” according to Garner.
How do you use fine tooth comb in a sentence?
a method of examining in minute detail.
- We have gone through the evidence with a fine-tooth comb.
- I went over it with a fine-tooth comb.
- We went over that area with a fine-tooth comb.
- The policemen went through that house with a fine-tooth comb.
Where does the expression fine tooth comb come from?
The idiom go over with a fine-tooth comb comes from the action of using a literal, physical, fine-tooth comb. Such combs are often used in the treatment of a lice infestation. A special comb with narrow, closely-spaced teeth is used to comb out the lice nits.
What does scraped life mean?
If you say that someone scrapes a living or scratches a living, you mean that they manage to earn enough to live on, but it is very difficult. In American English, you say they scrape out a living or scratch out a living.
What does fine toothed mean?
fine-toothed Add to list Share. Definitions of fine-toothed. adjective. having fine teeth set close together.
Where did the saying fine tooth comb come from?
What is a tail comb?
noun. A comb with a tapering tail or handle used in styling to lift, divide, or curl the hair.
What does works like a charm mean?
work very well
Definition of work like a charm : to produce a desired result very easily and effectively : to work very well The cleaning fluid worked like a charm on the carpet stain.
What does Sadie and Maud mean?
‘Sadie and Maud’ by Gwendolyn Brooks is a poem about finding happiness, dealing with sexism, and society’s expectations. It features the stories of two sisters-Maud and Sadie who take different paths in life.
What is boy breaking glass about?
(I use the male pronoun because the title is “Boy Breaking Glass.”) The poem asks us to see the destruction as a kind of artistic statement, while at the same time not losing sight of the fact that it is destruction and therefore “terrible.” (Here I hear echoes of James Baldwin; the word “terrible” does not just mean “ …
Do combs have teeth?
Combs consist of a shaft and teeth that are placed at a perpendicular angle to the shaft. Combs can be made out of a number of materials, most commonly plastic, metal, or wood.
What is a wide tooth comb used for?
Wide tooth combs are designed for people with large amounts of hair, with the spacing between the teeth allowing that hair to easily flow through. If you have thick, curly, or tangled hair, this should be your main comb of choice.
What does a tail comb look like?
At first glance, a tail comb might look like a regular kind of comb with a handle. Similar to other combs, a tail comb might be a wide toothed comb or a fine toothed comb. Too, the tail might be skinny or fat, and the end might be blunt or pointy. The exact design of a tail comb depends on its intended use.
What does fits like a glove mean?
Be the right size and well suited
Be the right size and well suited; also, be in conformity with. For example, That position fits him like a glove.
What is the meaning of idiom beat a dead horse?
Definition of beat a dead horse 1 : to keep talking about a subject that has already been discussed or decided I don’t mean to beat a dead horse, but I still don’t understand what happened.
What is a fine-toothed comb?
1. a comb with fine teeth set closely together 2. go over with a fine-tooth comb go over with a fine-toothed comb go through with a fine-tooth comb go through with a fine-toothed comb to examine very thoroughly
What does comb mean in history?
A method of searching or investigating in minute detail, as in He examined the figures with a fine-tooth comb but found no errors. The practice of using a comb with close-set teeth to comb out head lice was transferred to various kinds of investigation in the late 1800s. The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Do you go through your thesis with a fine-tooth comb?
We need to go through these files with a fine-tooth comb to find that missing paperwork. Make sure to go through 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. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
What does it mean to go through something with a comb?
with a fine-tooth comb. › If you go through something with a fine-tooth comb, you examine it in great detail and with great care: We have gone through the evidence with a fine-tooth comb. Thesaurus: synonyms and related words. Detailed and careful. blow-by-blow. detailed. diligence.
