To examine a large amount of material carefully in order to find something useful or important.
To look carefully through a big pile of things to find what you need.
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
To search carefully through a large amount of material, information, or objects.
"She spent all evening sifting through old photographs looking for one of her grandmother."
Rescue workers were sifting through the rubble looking for survivors.
— BBC News, general reporting style on disaster coverage
To carefully examine a large amount of data or information to find what is relevant or true.
"Analysts are sifting through thousands of survey responses to identify patterns."
To pass something through a sieve, moving through the material to find what you want.
To look carefully through a big pile of things to find what you need.
Very common in journalism, detective stories, legal contexts, and academic writing. Often collocates with 'evidence', 'data', 'rubble', 'emails'. Implies patience and thoroughness. Used in both British and American English.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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