under the microscope
adv1
Figuratively, Idiomatic Under close scrutiny or examination.
- Our people get beat on so much, and because we are under the microscope, it is good for us once in a while to understand that VA folks are really great people and they are trying to do their job and they are very compassionate.1994, United States, Congress, House, Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies, Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations for 1995, Hearings Before a Subcommittee of the Committee on Appropriations, House of Representatives, One Hundred Third Congress, Second Session, Part 1, page 120:
2
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see under, the, microscope.
- Related terms
- under the gun