winkle out
C1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To get something out of a difficult place or person by working hard at it.
Literal meaning: To pick a winkle (shellfish) out of its shell with a pin — vividly captures the idea of laborious, pointed extraction.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To obtain information from someone who is reluctant to give it, by persistent or clever questioning.
"It took the journalist three interviews to winkle out the full story."
Grammar: separable
2 C1
idiomatic
informal
To force or manoeuvre someone out of a position, job, or place they are reluctant to leave.
"The new manager was hired specifically to winkle out the underperforming staff."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Chiefly British English. Named after the action of extracting a winkle (small sea snail) from its shell with a pin. Used for getting secrets, confessions, or facts from a reluctant person, or for forcing someone out of a comfortable position.
Commonly used with
information secret truth confession incumbent detail
Forms
Base
winkle out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
winkles out
he/she/it
Past simple
winkled out
yesterday
Past participle
winkled out
have + pp
-ing form
winkling out
continuous
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