root around

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root around

To dig or rummage aimlessly (in or through some cluttered location). Usually used in the continuous tense. Tom rooted around the attic for a while, but he couldn't find his old comic book location. A raccoon had gotten into the dumpster and was rooting around for something to eat. He walked into the office and caught two men rooting around.
See also: around, root
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

root around (for something)

to dig or shuffle in or through something, looking for something. Alice rooted around in her desk drawer for a pen. I'll root around here and see if I can find it.
See also: around, root
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
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References in periodicals archive ?
FOLLICLY UNCHALLENGED Are you rooting around for a cure to baldness?
Instead of rooting around for dough chunks in that tub of regular Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough ice cream, "Dough Heads" can now just dig into the core.
ROOTING around a flea market near Newcastle, a collector of all things wartime was astonished to find a rare item with links to the north-east.
Speaking about his desperation, he said: "I'm ashamed to say I have been forced to steal food from supermarkets and have been rooting around in their bins as well.
Speaking about his desperation, he said: "I'm ashamed to say I have been forced to steal some food from supermarkets and have been rooting around in their bins for food as well.
Like you could pull down a bag of chips if you kept rooting around
In the 20 minutes they spent rooting around they broke multiple cabinets, destroyed children's art displays, stole PS600 in petty cash and took a birthday collection fund of PS55.
Gloria Hunniford is used to finding a load of old beads and rusty plugs while rooting around in lofts filming Cash in the Attic, but one lot took her by surprise.
One of the workmen opened the back of the van and after some time spent rooting around in the back, reappeared with a traffic cone.
Viewers began rooting around the 19-year-old's parentage to discover father Mike is English while mother Winnie is actually from Malaysia.
The first part of the task saw Roberts rooting around for stars - each representing a meal for the camp - in tree hollows guarded by jungle critters.
The householder was rooting around in the roof space when he came across seven large bullets.
When not in use, the earbuds store neatly in the cuff-- so you're not left rooting around in the bottom of your work bag when you just can't wait to finish the latest episode of Serial.
But not one to ever do what she's told, Stacey ignores him and instead starts rooting around in Jean's house to see what the key could open.
So far Steph's the only one in on his whopping big secret but she gets the shock of her life when she walks in on the real Gavin, who's returned from his travels and is rooting around in Andy's flat.