run a comb through (one's) hair
To tidy one's hair with a comb, especially in a hasty, imprecise manner. Let me just run a comb through my hair before we leave for our dinner reservation. I tried to run a comb through his hair before his school photos, but it was too much of a mess.
run a comb through something
to comb one's hair quickly. Run a comb through your hair after you come back in the house. She ran a comb through Timmy's hair, and tried to make him look presentable.