ferret out
To find something hidden or secret by searching very hard until you discover it.
Meanings
To discover information that is hidden or difficult to find through persistent searching or investigation.
"The researcher managed to ferret out some fascinating details about the artist's early life."
To find a person who is hiding or who does not want to be found.
"The police eventually ferreted out the suspect from his hiding place."
The most commonly used of the 'ferret' phrasal verbs. Works well for investigative contexts — journalism, detective work, research. Often used with abstracts: 'ferret out the truth/details/information'. The animal metaphor reinforces the idea of going into hidden places to find something.
Commonly used with
Forms
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