Hairsplitting Meaning in English
word
ˈhɛrˌsplɪtɪŋ
HAIR-split-ing
ˈheəˌsplɪtɪŋ
HAIR-split-ing
Definition
The act of focusing on or arguing about extremely small and unimportant details, often to the point of missing the main issue.
Usage & Nuances
Used in both negative and critical contexts to describe unnecessary attention to trivial details. Often refers to debates or arguments that go too deep into unimportant matters. Rarely used in positive contexts.
Spanish: sutileza excesiva - discutir minuciasPortuguese (BR): excesso de minúcia - discutir detalhes irrelevantesPortuguese (PT): excesso de minúcia - discutir pormenores insignificantesChinese (Simplified): 吹毛求疵 - 斤斤计较Chinese (Traditional): 吹毛求疵 - 吹毛求細Hindi: बाल की खाल निकालना - अत्यधिक सूक्ष्म विश्लेषणArabic: تفاصيل دقيقة جدًا - التدقيق في الأمور الصغيرةBengali: তুচ্ছ বিষয় নিয়ে বিতর্ক - অতি ক্ষুদ্র বিষয়ে খুঁটিনাটি আলোচনাRussian: придирчивость - словопрения по мелочамJapanese: 重箱の隅をつつくこと - 細かいことにこだわることVietnamese: soi mói tiểu tiết - tranh cãi vụn vặtKorean: 사소한 것에 집착함 - 트집 잡기Turkish: kıl ayrımı - ayrıntılarda boğulmaUrdu: غیرضروری باریک بینی - غیر ضروری نکات پر بحثIndonesian: memperdebatkan hal-hal sepele - terlalu memperhatikan detail kecil
Example Sentences
His argument was just hairsplitting that distracted from the real issue.
basic
We need to stop the hairsplitting and make a decision.
basic
Her explanation was clear, without any hairsplitting.
basic
Let's not get into hairsplitting over tiny grammar mistakes.
natural
There's too much hairsplitting in these meetings—it wastes our time.
natural
Instead of hairsplitting, try to look at the big picture.
natural