dot the i's and cross the t's

dot the i's and cross the t's

Meaning:
– to take care of every detail, even minor ones
– be meticulous and precise
– to do something very carefully and in a lot of detail
– complete the job paying attention to the details

Examples:
1. I had dotted all the i's and crossed the t's, so I wondered why my application was rejected
2. Before taking the project to the CEO, let's make sure we dot the i's and cross the t's.
3. She writes highly accurate reports – she always dots her i's and crosses her t's.
4. The negotiations are nearly finished, but we still have to dot the i's and cross the t's.
5. Why can't Jerry dot the i's and cross the t's? I always find mistakes in his work.
6. Your instructor is a tough grader, be sure to dot your ‘i's and cross your ‘t's on your research.

Origin:
Be meticulous and precise, fill in all the particulars, as in Laura had dotted all the i's and crossed the t's, so she wondered what she'd done wrong . This expression presumably began as an admonition to school children to write carefully and is sometimes shortened. William Make peace Thackeray had it in a magazine article (Scribner's Magazine, 1849): “I have . . . dotted the i's.” [Mid-1800s].