gnat



down to a gnat 's eyebrow

Fig. down to the smallest detail. He described what the thief was wearing down to a gnat's eyebrow. No use trying to sneak anything out of the refrigerator. Mom knows what's in there, down to a gnat's eyebrow.
See also: down, eyebrow, gnat

strain at gnats and swallow camels

Prov. to criticize other people for minor offenses while ignoring major offenses. (Biblical.) Jill: Look at that. Edward is combing his hair at his desk. How unprofessional. Jane: Don't strain at gnats and swallow camels. There are worse problems than that around here.
See also: and, camel, gnat, strain, swallow

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
PruePROOEnglish
Ealdwine-Anglo-Saxon
JÚLiaZHOO-lyə (Portuguese), YOO-lee-aw (Hungarian)Portuguese, Catalan, Hungarian, Slovak
XenaZEE-nəPopular Culture
JÓZsefYO-zhefHungarian
ChristmasKRIS-məsEnglish (Rare)