worm out
Covertly pry loose
To worm out information is to extract it through persistent, indirect questioning—gradually coaxing secrets or reluctant admissions from someone: She finally wormed the truth out of him.
The image is of a worm slowly working its way through soil.
The phrase often implies manipulation or patient persistence rather than direct confrontation.
- elicitDraw out by effort
- pryLever or snoop
- cajolePersuade through flattery
- ascertainDiscover through investigation
- extractConcentrated derived substance
obtain · extricate · slip away · unearth · wheedle · evade · uncover · persuade · deceive · finagle · coax · deduce · maneuver · sidestep · dodge · infer · flee · lead