fumble

fumble for (something)

To make a clumsy, struggling attempt to find or grasp something. I fumbled for the light switch in the dark. Alice stood there, sobbing, and I fumbled for the right words to console her.
See also: fumble
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fumble for something

to try to grasp awkwardly for something. He fumbled for his wallet, hoping Wally would pay the bill. Tex was shot while fumbling for his gun.
See also: fumble
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • fumble for
  • fumble for (something)
  • sob out
  • within grasp
  • pluck from
  • have butterfingers
  • butterfingers
  • foozle
  • hack (something) to pieces
  • hack (something) to smithereens
References in periodicals archive
Fumble recoveries give leaders opportunities to show how they earned their position.
Fumble and Recovery: Transforming a String of Failures into Robust Success
-- D'Qwell Jackson, Colts, returned a fumble 35 yards for the second touchdown of his career in Indianapolis' 49-27 win over Washington.
BC-FBN--NFL Today
Always emphasize: "We want to advance the fumble whenever possible and score."
Creating fumbles: and converting them into recoveries & TD's
Middle linebacker Brian Urlacher led the way, featuring in three turnovers, returning a fumble 90 yards for a touchdown, plus recording an interception and forcing a fumble.
Ravens stroll over failing Titans
He also lost a fumble that Stanford's Jordan Fox recovered in the end zone for a touchdown that sealed the game with 20 seconds remaining.
Johnson starts, but proves ineffective in loss to Stanford
With 12 fumble recoveries in the last five seasons, Ninkovich has more than any other NFL player.
Ninkovich 'secret weapon'; Fumble return for TD caps 21 points in 57 seconds
The Texans had a legit chance to steal the win but had key fumbles near the end of game.
NFL Thursday Night Recap: Indianapolis Colts 33, Houston Texans 28 [PHOTOS]
Both defences hit hard and the possibility of there being more than one fumble lost in the game is high so buying total fumbles lost at 1.4 could pay.
Brackett to clamp down on Saints; NFL
I MESSED UP Craig Pickering; RECOVER UP Shamed Torri Edwards hides as Lauryn Williams races back; WAIT FOR IT Tyson Gay is away without the baton as Darvis Patton fumbles
Our batons out of hell; OLYMPICS Beijing 2008 Our medals so far 17 12 11
Nottingham's next drive was killed when Senator Matthew Kidd pounced on a fumble to give Pete Rogers the ball back.
Senators blow hot and cold
We want to take away the football - get it back by a fumble recovery, interception, blocked field goal, missed field goal, or by forcing them to punt.
Handling the sudden-change situation: The true test in defensive football. (Football)
Washington's 58-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown sealed that honor in Oregon's 59-20 win over Florida State Thursday evening in the Rose Bowl.
Washington makes good on wager
A deflected pass, an opportune punt, a fumble and a punt return -- all in the second quarter -- turned the tide in favor of the visitors.
No. 1 Blue Devils trip up No. 6 Colonials
The hit, which can be seen in the video above, forced a Wolverines fumble in the fourth quarter of the game and even led to a touchdown for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks, who were trailing 22-21 with a little more than eight minutes to go.
Jadeveon Clowney Hit On Michigan Running Back Vincent Smith Goes Viral As Cocks Take Wolverines In Outback Bowl [VIDEO]
My boyfriend admits they shared a bed and had what he calls a "bit of a fumble" and she says she is too drunk to remember exactly what happened.
Just Joan: Reader's problem