nose about
Search through curiously
To nose about is to search or pry in a casual but curious way, typically where one doesn't belong: She was nosing about in my desk drawers.
The image is of an animal sniffing around unfamiliar territory.
British English; Americans prefer nose around.
Lever or snoop
- snoopOne who pries
- poke aroundSearch in leisurely fashion
- ferretDomesticated weasel kept as pet
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
meddle · intrude · peep · sneak · prowl · lurk · eavesdrop · spy
Search unsystematically through clutter
- huntPursuit of quarry
- forageSeek food actively
- scourClean by hard rubbing
- comb throughSearch systematically and thoroughly
rifle through · root around · sift through · look through · browse · explore · seek out · grope
pry
Lever or snoop
- snoopOne who pries
- poke aroundSearch in leisurely fashion
- ferretDomesticated weasel kept as pet
rummage · meddle · intrude · peep · sneak · prowl · lurk · eavesdrop · spy · surveil
rummage
Search unsystematically through clutter
comb through · rifle through · root around · sift through · look through · browse · explore · seek out · grope · ransack
probe
Thorough examination or tool
- examineStudy with attention
- scrutinizeInspect with close attention
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
delve · dig · research · explore · inquire · question · study · analyze · review · assess
nose aboutmind one's own business
Refrain from prying
keep to oneself · look the other way · leave alone · turn a blind eye · butt out
nose aboutstay put
Remain in place
leave alone · let be · keep away · hands off
nose, about, noses, nosed, nosing, nosy, nosiness, nasal, nasally