snooping around
Poking into business
Snooping around means investigating or searching through a place, typically without permission or in a secretive manner.
The phrase suggests nosiness or suspicion—someone who snoops around is looking for information they're not supposed to have, or checking up on someone else's affairs.
I caught him snooping around my desk while I was at lunch.
She was snooping around the old house, hoping to find clues.
The activity carries connotations of distrust or curiosity that crosses boundaries.
- nosyIntrusively curious
- nosy neighborIntrusive person next door
- pryingIntrusively inquisitive
- meddlingIntrusive interference in others' concerns
- interferingIntruding in others' affairs
intrusive · eavesdropping · rummaging · lurking · behind closed doors · peeking · sneaking · discovery · distrust · spying · exposure · caught red-handed · invasion of privacy · surreptitious · suspicion · confrontation · curiosity · jealousy
snooping aroundlooking the other way
Deliberately ignoring wrongdoing
giving space · turning a blind eye · backing off · disengaging · ignoring