root about
The phrase "root about" often evokes the image of a pig foraging, symbolizing a thorough but disorganized search.
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Definition
B2General
(informal)To search through things in a rough or unorganized manner.
Example
- She rooted about in her bag for the lost keys.
- He spent the afternoon rooting about in the attic for old photographs.
B2Animal Behavior
(literal)To forage by poking the snout here and there, as a pig does.
Example
- The pig rooted about in the dirt looking for food.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "root about":
root systemroot extractionroot and branchtake rootroot causecancer rootroot outsquare root