rummage

3 definitions • 6 examples

to search for something that is difficult to find among other things:

rummage in/through She rummaged in/through all the drawers, looking for a pen.

The chapters overlap and interrelate and readers in search of particular information will have to rummage.

a search for something that is difficult to find among other things:

rummage around/about I had a rummage around/about (the house), but I couldn't find my certificate anywhere.

Her mother was away, and he was bored, so he had a nosy rummage in her desk.

A rummage through his collection of recipe books produced a tempting selection of dishes.

to search for something by moving things around without care and looking into, under, and behind them:

She rummaged through the drawer, looking for a pen.