しらみ潰つぶし

noun

exhaustive search; fine-tooth-comb search; scouring

Describes a methodical, painstaking search where every possible place is checked, like picking through lice. Often used in police or inspection contexts.

• 警けい察さつは山やまをしらみ潰つぶしに捜そう索さくした。

  The police searched the mountain inch by inch.

• 書しょ類るいをしらみ潰つぶしに調しらべて、ミスを見みつけた。

  I went through the documents with a fine-tooth comb and found the mistake.