ferret out

Idioms  

1. Uncover and bring to light by searching, as in Sandy was a superb reporter, tireless in ferreting out whatever facts were needed for her story. This expression alludes to hunting with ferrets, weasel-like animals formerly used to drive rabbits out of their burrows. [c. 1600]

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Example Sentences

The online service Grammarly originated in 2009 as a suite of tools to help ferret out plagiarism in schoolwork or help students hone their grammar and spelling.

From Los Angeles Times

Paul McCartney emerged from the wreckage of the Fab Four in 1970, eager to ferret out a fresh sound.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Spanish credited her with ferreting out plots against them and helping to recruit Indigenous warriors to Cortés’ ranks.

From Los Angeles Times

Such information can be hard enough to ferret out in democracies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The modern discipline of psychology would ferret out the private motives of regular and refined collectors alike.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ascertain
• bring to light
• drive out
• get at
• sniff out
• uncover
• unearth