ferret around
Dig through things
To ferret around is to search thoroughly, rummaging through spaces or possibilities the way a ferret explores burrows: She ferreted around in her purse for the receipt, He spent the afternoon ferreting around in the attic.
The phrase suggests persistent, somewhat disorganized searching rather than systematic investigation.
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
- siftSeparate coarse from fine
- pokeSharp, quick thrust
- searchAct of seeking
- cast aboutSearch in multiple directions
fish out · put out feelers · dig · hunt · scrabble · root · investigate · sniff out · fossick · sniff · fumble · delve · paw · claw · scour · probe · poke about · pry
information seeking vs. ignoring
ferret aroundignore
Refuse to notice
overlook · disregard · glance · turn a blind eye · neglect
deliberateness of discovery
ferret aroundstumble upon
Find unexpectedly
happen upon · chance upon · come across · trip over · bump into