expression
full of gaps; missing important things here and there
Describes a state where elements that should be present are missing in a scattered, irregular way, like a comb with missing teeth. Often used figuratively for incomplete collections, attendance, or coverage.
彼の蔵書は櫛の歯が欠けたようで、シリーズの途中の巻が抜けている。
His book collection is full of gaps, with volumes missing from the middle of the series.
会議の出席者は櫛の歯が欠けたようだった。
The attendance at the meeting was spotty, with many people missing.
歯抜け simply means 'missing teeth' or 'gaps', while 櫛の歯が欠けたよう is a more vivid, figurative expression emphasizing scattered absences.
A set phrase derived from the literal image of a comb with missing teeth, used figuratively to describe something with irregular gaps or missing elements.