come-under-the-microscope
/kʌm ˌʌn.də ðə ˈmaɪ.krə.skəʊp/ IELTSAcademic
idiom
If something comes under the microscope, people look at it very closely and examine it in detail. It is often used for decisions, actions, or problems that may be criticized.
- The new policy came under the microscope.
- His spending came under the microscope.
- The report put the contract under the microscope.
Adinary Nuance
Use this phrase when something is being checked very closely, often by reporters, officials, or critics. It is stronger and more formal than simply “look at” or “review.” It is similar to “scrutinize,” but the idiom often suggests public attention or criticism. In writing, it sounds natural in academic, business, and news contexts.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- được xem xét kỹ
- Spanish
- ser examinado a fondo
- Chinese
- 受到仔细审查
- Japanese
- 厳しく精査される
- Korean
- 면밀히 검토되다
Etymology
This idiom uses microscope, a word from Greek and Latin roots, in modern English figurative speech. It became common in the 20th century as a way to mean careful public examination.
Common phrases
come under the microscopeput under the microscopeclosely under the microscope
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is come under the microscope formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in news, business, and academic writing.
- Is it the same as scrutinize?
- Almost, but this idiom often suggests public or critical attention.
- Can I use it for people?
- Yes. A person's actions, behaviour, or record can come under the microscope.
- Is it common in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It fits formal writing when you want to show close examination or criticism.