fine-tooth-comb
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While there are similarities between transactions designed to avoid different reporting requirements, investigators will look at them with a fine-tooth comb.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 26, 2026
“We suspect they were going through everything with a fine-tooth comb looking for anything to peg her with after the fact,” Gauthier said, adding that his client was cleared of wrongdoing.
From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 16, 2025
Any such deal would normally have to be accepted by all countries in a plenary session, where negotiators can go through the text with a fine-tooth comb, often leading to major arguments.
From BBC • Nov. 30, 2023
Lawyers in Idaho Attorney General Lawrence Wasden’s office are going through all the state’s abortion statutes with a fine-tooth comb, said Wasden spokesman Scott Graf.
From Seattle Times • Jul. 1, 2022
He’d learned that a fine-tooth comb was never going to make its way through my hair and that a wide-toothed one really only worked when my hair was wet.
From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson
