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WotD: Fine-toothed comb
To be successful, you have to pay attention to detail.
Everybody is a specialist, and the days of being a generalist are history.
Today’s phrase fine-toothed comb is used to show a sense of thoroughness and attention to detail.
When someone says they will go through something with a fine-toothed comb, they will examine it carefully and meticulously.
In its literal sense, a fine-toothed comb refers to a comb with closely spaced teeth, allowing for the detangling and smoothing of hair with great precision.
In a figurative sense, the phrase indicates a meticulous and comprehensive examination of something.
For example, when proofreading an essay, I go through the document with a fine-toothed comb to catch all the errors.
The expression is commonly used in business when discussing contract reviews, data analysis, or conducting investigations.
For instance, a Japanese detective might search through evidence with a fine-toothed comb to uncover crucial details in a case.
Similarly, a researcher might sift through extensive data with a fine-toothed comb to identify significant patterns or correlations.
In personal relationships, the phrase can describe scrutinizing a situation or a person’s behaviour with great care.
For example, a mother might review their child’s homework with a fine-toothed comb to ensure accuracy.
Similarly, a father might question his daughter’s boyfriend’s history with a fine-toothed comb to assess his feasibility as appropriate dating material.
Saying you used a fine-toothed comb is a metaphor for meticulousness and attention to detail.
It conveys the idea of a thorough examination, highlighting the importance of being diligent and attentive in various aspects of life.
So, the next time you hear someone talk about going through something with a fine-toothed comb, you’ll understand the depth of scrutiny and care implied by this expression.
Flesch-Kincaid Readability Test
This post is understandable by someone with at least a 10th-grade education (age 16).
On the Flesch-Kincaid reading-ease test, this post scores 45.
The easier a passage is to read, the higher the score on a scale of 0 – 100.