split hairs

1. To argue about an inconsequential and trivial aspect of an issue: “When you are accused of being forty-five minutes late for an appointment, you are splitting hairs to say that you were really only forty minutes late.”

Idioms and Phrases

Make trivial distinctions, quibble, as in Let's not split hairs about whose turn it is; I'll close up today and you do it tomorrow . This metaphoric idiom transfers dividing so fine an object as a single hair to other petty divisions. [Second half of 1600s]

Example Sentences

It might sound pedantic to split hairs about the conspiracy theories that drive extremists like Mohn to do despicable things.

From Slate

We know that America is fascinated by zombies: “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead,” “Zombieland” and now — even though aficionadoes may split hairs over this — “The Last of Us.”

From Los Angeles Times

Democratic lawmakers split hairs over details of a long-debated plan to demolish the crumbling Brutalist headquarters in downtown Washington, D.C.

From New York Times

“When it comes down to the last three or four teams, you have to really split hairs. Baseball is a game played in series. We weren’t looking at one-game scenarios unless that was the only data point.”

From Seattle Times

If you give scientists enough caffeine or other kinds of beverages, you can split hairs about, was that the perfect metaphor?

From Seattle Times