a fine-tooth comb

a fine-tooth comb

A phrase used to describe a way of doing something that is very careful and thorough. 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?
See also: comb
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fine-tooth comb

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.
See also: comb
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • comb
  • fine-tooth comb
  • fine-tooth comb, to go over with a
  • go over (something) with a fine-tooth comb
  • go over with a fine-tooth comb
  • go over/through something with a fine-tooth comb
  • go through (something) with a fine-tooth comb
  • search (something) with a fine-tooth comb
  • with a fine-tooth comb
  • tooth
References in periodicals archive
The Bug Buster kit, developed by the United Kingdom charity organization Community Hygiene Concern, includes a fine-tooth comb and hair conditioner.
Researchers back wet combing as preferred treatment for head lice
"Federal officials and state legislators may be running the computerized equivalent of a fine-tooth comb through all sexually explicit material in cyberspace," Morales wrote.
February 21, 1995: cybersex and surveillance. (From the Archives of The Advocate)
"But to make absolutely sure he'll go to the vet in the morning and my man will go over him with a fine-tooth comb."
Vet visit for beaten Issue
Sources close to the talks say the Government has gone through the deal with a fine-tooth comb.
LDV bullish over pounds 40m aid package
Given the task of examining customer operations with a fine-tooth comb, they "created a marriage of two different cultures," explains Jackson, which wasn't easy.
A woman of power
The surveyor was with us for three days and covered every single policy and procedure with a fine-tooth comb. This proved to be consistently educational - particularly since we were in a conference room for eight hours a day all huddled around our manuals.
One facility's road to "accreditation with commendation." (Regency Manor Rehabilitation and Subacute Center; Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organization Accreditation and Commendation for long-term care and for subacute services)