split hairs
QUIBBLE, cavil, carp, niggle, chop logic, nit pick, pettifog

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

split hairs
to argue about very small differences or unimportant details.
It's splitting hairs to tell people that they cannot lie but it is all right if they exaggerate.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

split hairs
to find and argue about small and unimportant differences; to make unnecessary distinctions about something
My boss always splits hairs when I talk to him about something important.

The manager makes many good points but he has a tendency to split hairs and waste a lot of our time.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

split hairs
v. phr. To find and argue about small and unimportant differences as if the differences are important.
John is always splitting hairs; he often starts an argument about something small and unimportant.
Don't split hairs about whose turn it is to wash the dishes and make the beds; let's work together and finish sooner.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲