# dot the i's and cross the t's

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˌdɒt ði ˈaɪz ən ˌkɹɒs ðə ˈtiːz/

## Definitions
1. To take care of every detail, even minor ones; to be meticulous or thorough; to finish off something close to complete.

## Etymology
In 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.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-09-03.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/dot-the-i-s-and-cross-the-t-s