passer au peigne fin
To be uncomfortable
직역: To pass through a fine-tooth comb
Use this when you want to emphasize that you are checking every single detail with total precision.
15초 만에
- To examine something with extreme, meticulous detail.
- Like using a fine-tooth comb to find tiny errors.
- Used for police searches, editing, or finding lost items.
뜻
Imagine you're looking for a tiny needle in a haystack. This phrase means to examine something with extreme care and attention to every single detail.
주요 예문
3 / 7A detective searching a crime scene
Les enquêteurs ont passé l'appartement au peigne fin.
The investigators searched the apartment with a fine-tooth comb.
Reviewing a work presentation
Je vais passer ton rapport au peigne fin avant la réunion.
I'm going to go through your report with a fine-tooth comb before the meeting.
Looking for lost car keys
J'ai passé toute la maison au peigne fin, mais mes clés ont disparu !
I've combed through the whole house, but my keys have vanished!
문화적 배경
This expression dates back to the 18th century and is rooted in the meticulous nature of grooming and hygiene. In a historical context, using a fine-tooth comb was the only way to ensure cleanliness, and this physical rigor translated into a metaphor for intellectual and investigative precision in modern French.
Conjugation Trick
Remember that 'passer' uses 'avoir' in the passé composé. Say 'J'ai passé' not 'Je suis passé' when using this idiom!
Don't forget the 'Fin'
If you just say 'passer au peigne', it sounds like you are literally brushing your hair. The word 'fin' (fine) is what gives it the meaning of 'meticulous'.
15초 만에
- To examine something with extreme, meticulous detail.
- Like using a fine-tooth comb to find tiny errors.
- Used for police searches, editing, or finding lost items.
What It Means
Think about a comb with very thin, close-together teeth. When you use it, nothing gets through unnoticed. In French, passer au peigne fin means you are investigating something thoroughly. You aren't just glancing at a document. You are reading every comma. You aren't just cleaning a room. You are scrubbing the baseboards with a toothbrush. It is about being meticulous and leaving no stone unturned.
How To Use It
You use this phrase as a verb. It describes an action of searching or reviewing. You can use it for physical searches, like looking for lost keys. You can also use it for mental or professional tasks. For example, a lawyer might check a contract this way. Just remember to conjugate the verb passer to match who is doing the searching. If you did it yesterday, use j'ai passé. If you are doing it now, use je passe.
When To Use It
This is a great phrase for the workplace. Use it when you want to impress your boss with your diligence. It also works perfectly in mystery stories or police dramas. Use it when you’ve lost something important at home. It fits well when you are analyzing a complex situation with friends. It conveys a sense of seriousness and high effort. It says, "I am being very careful."
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for a quick check. If you just peeked in your bag, don't say this. It implies a long, exhausting process. Also, avoid using it for people's feelings. You wouldn't "comb through" a person's soul in a casual chat. It’s mostly for objects, data, or physical spaces. If you use it for a five-second task, you’ll sound sarcastic or dramatic. Save it for the big deep-dives.
Cultural Background
French culture places a high value on precision and "le travail bien fait" (work well done). This idiom reflects that national pride in being thorough. It has been used for centuries to describe police investigations. The image of the peigne fin (fine comb) is universal. It suggests that even the smallest "lice" or "knots" of error will be caught. It’s a classic metaphor that hasn't aged a day.
Common Variations
You might hear fouiller de fond en comble. This means to search from bottom to top. It’s very similar but focuses more on a physical building. Another one is scruter à la loupe, which means to look through a magnifying glass. However, passer au peigne fin remains the most popular choice for general thoroughness. It sounds smart and reliable without being too stuffy.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is neutral and versatile. It is safe to use with your boss, your friends, or in a formal essay. Just ensure you are describing a process that actually requires high effort.
Conjugation Trick
Remember that 'passer' uses 'avoir' in the passé composé. Say 'J'ai passé' not 'Je suis passé' when using this idiom!
Don't forget the 'Fin'
If you just say 'passer au peigne', it sounds like you are literally brushing your hair. The word 'fin' (fine) is what gives it the meaning of 'meticulous'.
The Police Connection
In France, you'll see this phrase in almost every news report about a police search. It's the 'official' way to say they are doing a great job.
예시
7Les enquêteurs ont passé l'appartement au peigne fin.
The investigators searched the apartment with a fine-tooth comb.
Standard use for a physical search.
Je vais passer ton rapport au peigne fin avant la réunion.
I'm going to go through your report with a fine-tooth comb before the meeting.
Shows professional diligence.
J'ai passé toute la maison au peigne fin, mais mes clés ont disparu !
I've combed through the whole house, but my keys have vanished!
Everyday frustration context.
J'ai passé son profil Instagram au peigne fin hier soir.
I went through his Instagram profile with a fine-tooth comb last night.
Modern, informal use for social media 'investigating'.
Ma mère passe toujours mes devoirs au peigne fin, c'est fatiguant !
My mom always combs through my homework, it's exhausting!
Relatable family humor.
Nous devons passer chaque clause au peigne fin pour éviter les erreurs.
We must examine every clause with a fine-tooth comb to avoid errors.
Highly formal and serious.
Elle a passé le jardin au peigne fin, les larmes aux yeux.
She combed through the garden with a fine-tooth comb, tears in her eyes.
Emotional and desperate search.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence to say you are checking the budget carefully.
Le comptable va ___ les comptes au peigne fin.
The idiom specifically uses the verb 'passer' to mean 'to go through'.
Which object is used in this idiom?
On utilise un ___ fin pour cette expression.
A 'peigne' is a comb, which represents the tool for detailed sorting.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'Passer au peigne fin'
Used with friends about social media or lost items.
J'ai passé mon sac au peigne fin.
Standard use in news or general conversation.
La police passe le quartier au peigne fin.
Legal or academic review of documents.
Le contrat a été passé au peigne fin.
When to use 'Passer au peigne fin'
Crime Scene
Police investigation
Office Work
Proofreading a file
Lost Items
Finding a lost ring
Social Media
Checking an ex's posts
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No! That was a common mistranslation. It actually means to search or examine something very thoroughly, like passer le contrat au peigne fin.
Usually, you use it for objects or places. If you use it for a person, it sounds like a physical search by security, like ils l'ont passé au peigne fin à la douane.
Absolutely. It’s a professional way to say you are being careful. You could write: Je vais passer ce dossier au peigne fin.
It literally means a 'fine comb'—the kind with very small teeth used for removing lice or smoothing fine hair.
Yes, it is extremely common in both spoken and written French across all age groups.
No, the expression is fixed. You must use fin to convey the idea of detail and precision.
You can say J'ai tout passé au peigne fin. It emphasizes that nothing was missed.
Not at all. It is a neutral idiom that is perfectly acceptable in formal settings like law or journalism.
Chercher just means to look for. Passer au peigne fin implies a much deeper, more organized, and exhaustive search.
Yes! If you are analyzing a film for hidden meanings, you can say J'ai passé le film au peigne fin.
관련 표현
Fouiller de fond en comble
Scruter à la loupe
Examiner sous toutes les coutures
Chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin
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