ferret

chutney ferret

offensive slang A homosexual male. ("Chutney" is a slang term for sodomy.)
See also: chutney, ferret

ferret around

1. To look or sort through something or some place, especially in search of something. I've been ferreting around the attic trying to find my old photo albums. We came across the first article we ever published while we were ferreting around in our archives.
2. To reach out to or investigate many different people or sources in search of some information. She's been ferreting around for concrete evidence that connects the governor to the banking scandal. I ferreted around for a while in the vague hopes of finding a lead on a job opportunity, but nothing came up.
See also: around, ferret

ferret out

To discover or retrieve something, usually with careful effort. A noun or pronoun can be used between "ferret" and "out." Now that I'm a successful actress, I'm worried about what the media will ferret out about my tawdry past.
See also: ferret, out
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ferret something out (from something)

Fig. to fetch something out from something. We will have to ferret the mouse out from behind the stove. We can ferret out the mouse with the aid of the cat.
See also: ferret, out

ferret something out (of someone or something)

 and ferret something out
Fig. to get, remove, or retrieve something from someone or something, usually with cunning and persistence. I tried very hard, but I couldn't ferret the information out of the clerk. I had to ferret out the answers one by one.
See also: ferret, out
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

ferret out

Uncover and bring to light by searching, as in Sandy was a superb reporter, tireless in ferreting out whatever facts were needed for her story . This expression alludes to hunting with ferrets, weasel-like animals formerly used to drive rabbits out of their burrows. [c. 1600]
See also: ferret, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

ferret out

v.
To uncover or extract something by searching or questioning: The detective ferreted out the sequence of events by questioning all of the witnesses. We ferreted the truth out after we finished our investigation.
See also: ferret, out
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • a fast talker
  • a horse of another
  • a horse of another color
  • a horse of another colour
  • a/the feel of (something)
  • (I) wouldn't (do something) if I were you
  • a straw will show which way the wind blows
  • a crack at (someone or something)
  • all right
  • (you) wanna make something of it?
References in periodicals archive
Ferrets typically live for about six years but can reach 10 or even slightly older.
Gen up on jills' reproductive system
"The number of small animals as pets is on the rise, yet ferret products seem to be overlooked in stores nowadays.
Ferret Category Presents Opportunity to Boost Sales
For example, the absence of commercially available uniform caging for ferret transmission experiments (a reflection of country- and institution-specific size regulations and facilities constraints) represents a parameter that would be difficult to standardize.
Ferrets as Models for Influenza Virus Transmission Studies and Pandemic Risk Assessments
Ms Puskorius is bringing her two ferrets Avadon and Migaloo to Waterford Country Fair in Portlaw on June 10 and will be introducing children to the fun-loving creatures.
FERRET CRAZE; Number of 'mischievous mammals' being kept as pets soars in Ireland
"They said they'd actually been away, so the ferret could have been in there for up to three days.
It's a ferret tail ending
Fiona revealed the SSPCA rehomed 135 ferrets this year and added: "Any ferret can be a good ferret, it's really down to the owner on how they train it and look after it.
A ferret is fur life; ..not just fur Christmas, so think carefully before buying one as a pet, says expert
Along with the games, Sunday's activities included a silent auction, raffle, children's games, a human-sized ferret mascot - and a ferret boutique.
Ferreting out the best of the best
The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to assess antibody reactivity against purified ferret Ig and to determine the IgG subclass and concentration of the respective mAb.
Generation of Monoclonal Antibodies against Immunoglobulin Proteins of the Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)
The 16th RS (H) SP continued its ferret work until the Germans were evicted from the western Mediterranean in late summer of 1944; at that point, the squadron was ordered back to the US.
Ferret: evolution of a design concept
"They certainly weren't there for the ferret. I used to give money to the RSPCA, but not any more," she said.
Woman's anger at RSPCA after ferret bites her hand
The ferret was detained at Porth police station for a few hours before being bailed to a new home in the area.
It's all in a name for road rescue ferret; NEWS IN BRIEF
M2 EQUITYBITES-May 14, 2013-Bmp media investors buys into Ferret go(C)2013 M2 COMMUNICATIONS http://www.m2.com
Bmp media investors buys into Ferret go
2002 at 1000 h BJM observed an encounter between a black-tailed prairie dog and an adult female black-footed ferret on the Main Locke prairie dog colony in UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge, Montana.
Prairie dog aboveground aggressive behavior towards black-footed ferrets
The pair - Lady Truffle and fiance Crusher Hoblet - have even been described as "the Wills and Kate of the ferret world".
Ferrets' wedding on the world wide web; Furry friends tie the knot at lavish event
RSPCA Bryn-Y-Maen Animal Centre is currently looking for homes for four neutered male ferrets, who came from the same owner.
GIVE A PET A HOME: Meet the ferrets from the RSPCA