fine-tooth comb

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A comb with fine, closely spaced teeth, especially one used for removing head lice and…

   A comb with fine, closely spaced teeth, especially one used for removing head lice and their nits (eggs) from the hair; a nit comb.

   • The practice of combing the heads of children too frequently with a fine tooth comb is a bad one, as the points of the teeth are quite sure to scratch and irritate the scalp, and are almost sure to produce scurf or dandruff.
   • 'Member dat rainy eve dat I drove you out, Wid nothing but a fine tooth comb?
2. 2

   A means of making a thorough search.

   • The police went through his possessions with a fine-tooth comb.
3. 3

   To comb or go through (hair, an animal's fur, etc.) with a comb having fine, closely…

   To comb or go through (hair, an animal's fur, etc.) with a comb having fine, closely spaced teeth.

4. ›+ 1 more definitionshow fewer

   1. 4

      To search (something or somewhere) meticulously.

      • "There's one other way of discovering the writer,—find a Rem-Smith typewriter with an alignment imperfect in just this way." "Yes," said Astro. "We might begin and fine-tooth-comb the city for it.:Template:.."

The neighborhood