pente
1. A flat or curved implement with a row of narrow teeth, used for arranging or cleaning hair
She used a comb to untangle her hair.
Ela usou um pente para desembaraçar o cabelo.
2. The fleshy crest on the head of a rooster or other bird
The rooster's comb was bright red.
A crista do galo era vermelha brilhante.
3. A honeycomb structure
The bees built their comb in the hive.
As abelhas construíram seu favo na colmeia.
4. To use a comb on hair; to search or examine thoroughly
I need to comb my hair before going out.
Preciso pentear meu cabelo antes de sair.
5. To search through something systematically
The police combed the area for evidence.
A polícia vasculhou a área procurando por evidências.
In Brazilian culture, hair grooming is an important part of daily routine, and 'pentear' (to comb) is a common verb in everyday conversation. The phrase 'pentear com pente fino' is widely used to mean examining something very carefully. In the USA, combs are basic grooming tools found in most households, and 'combing through' data or searching an area is common figurative usage.
Related Idioms & Phrases
fine-toothed comb - to examine something very carefully (pentear com pente fino)
comb through - to search thoroughly (vasculhar, revirar)
with a fine-toothed comb - meticulously and thoroughly (com muita atenção aos detalhes)
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