(Brit.)used with reference to a very thorough search or analysis of something (英)彻底的检查或分析 Cropper will have been through the manuscript with a toothcomb. 克鲁勃将已完成对手稿的彻底研究。 the boys have been over the area with a fine toothcomb. 孩子们把这个地方找了个遍。
用法
The forms toothcomb and fine toothcomb arose from a misreading of the compound noun fine-tooth comb. In modern use all the forms are accepted in standard English