split hairs
Meaning
To argue about very small details or make overly fine distinctions, often unnecessarily.
Origin
Recorded from the 1600s; it uses the impossible image of dividing a single hair to suggest making absurdly fine distinctions or being overly pedantic.
Notes
Usually negative: suggests pedantry or nitpicking over trivial differences, especially in arguments, rules, or definitions.
Examples
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Don’t split hairs over the wording in the contract.
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They spent the whole meeting splitting hairs about minor differences.
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I see your point, but let’s not split hairs here.
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She wasn’t trying to split hairs; she just wanted to be accurate.
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It sounds like you’re splitting hairs about definitions instead of fixing the real issue.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Fixed phrase with split + hairs. Often used as “don’t split hairs,” “stop splitting hairs,” or “not to split hairs, but …” (a preface to a minor correction).
Synonyms
- nitpick
- quibble
- split differences (not same meaning)
- be pedantic
Antonyms
- focus on the big picture
- get to the point
- be practical