Please dot the i's and cross the t's on this form.
dot the i's and cross the t's
idiomTo take care of every detail, even minor ones; to be meticulous or thorough; to finish off something close to complete.
Origin
disputed originIn reference to cursive (joined up) writing, where adding the dot to the letter i and the crossbar to the letter t is done after one reaches the end of the word and thus may be forgotten if one is not being careful.
Before we sign the contract, we need to dot the i's and cross the t's to ensure everything is correct.
The lawyer spent the entire afternoon reviewing the merger documents to dot the i's and cross the t's before the final presentation to the board.
- 01
come home by weeping cross
To return in disappointment, or in a spirit of contrition.
- 02
cross my heart
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
- 03
cross my heart and hope to die
Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said
- 04
cross of gold
A public policy which puts the interests of the rich ahead of those of the poor.
- 05
cross off
To strike out; to cross out; to draw a line through.
- 06
cross out
To strike out (something); to draw a line through (something).
- 07
cross paths
To be, by chance, in the same physical place at the same time, as a result of two completely separate journeys; to encounter or meet each other.
- 08
cross someone's palm
To pay for goods or a service.