idiom · formal
with a fine-tooth comb
UK/wɪð ə faɪn tuːθ kəʊm/US/wɪð ə faɪn tuθ koʊm/with·a·FINE·TOOTH·COMB
to search or examine something very carefully and thoroughly
Examples
“The supervisor checked the thesis with a fine-tooth comb before submission.”
“They searched the data with a fine-tooth comb for errors.”
“The inspector went through the records with a fine-tooth comb.”
Band 8 sentence
“Before submission I proofread the whole dissertation with a fine-tooth comb to eliminate any minor inconsistencies.”
Collocations
- check/proofread with a fine-tooth comb
- search with a fine-tooth comb
Word family
Common mistakes
I checked my essay by a fine tooth comb.→I checked my essay with a fine-tooth comb.
She searched with a fine comb.→She searched with a fine-tooth comb.
Say it for a higher band
5check carefully→6scrutinise→7+with a fine-tooth comb
Synonyms
thoroughly
scrutinise
Easily confused
scrutinise
“The committee scrutinised the applicants' portfolios carefully.”
Related words
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In Study
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