poke around

Idioms  

1. Also, poke about. Look through things; also, make an investigation. For example, I was poking around the attic when I found these old photos, or The detective was poking about, tracking where she went on that fatal day. [Early 1800s] Also see nose about; poke one's nose into.

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Example Sentences

In this case, Ford’s rivals didn’t have to poke around under the hood to find its latest hack.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 3, 2026

When her friend and tintype mentor came to town, the pair went to Mills’ old property to poke around.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2025

Then he had a poke around in his box.

From BBC • Aug. 2, 2024

Remi felt the same unease she’d experienced with Margery, the sense that Ellie was prying open the hood to poke around in her mechanics.

From Slate • Jan. 27, 2024

Jabbing upward, I use the vegetable stake to poke around until I feel it—the iron latch inside the door—and I try to use the stake to swing the latch up into place.

From "Girl in the Blue Coat" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• dawdle
• meander
• ramble